Due to extremely high temperatures and lack of rain, production in 2021-2022 was quite disappointing. There is a possibility that this scenario will repeat itself this season. “Looking at the outlook, it seems almost a given that it will be another bad year,” said a spokesman for Dcoop, Spain’s largest olive cooperative. ‘We can handle a tough year, which is part of the natural growth cycle. But two years in a row will be a disaster. Many olive groves are about to collapse».
Prices
According to the Spanish Association of Olive Oil Producers and Exporters, the price has already increased. In mid-April a ton of olives cost 5800 euros, while in January the same amount still had to be paid 5300 euros. In January 2022 the price for a ton of olives was still 3500 euros. The price of olive oil in the Netherlands is almost 19% higher than it was a year ago.
Theft of water
It was announced on Monday that last April was the hottest month ever measured in Spain. In addition, with 14.2 millimeters of rain, less than a quarter of the month’s normal rainfall fell. That made it the driest April since measurements began in 1961, according to Spain’s meteorological service Aemet.
As a result, water is being abstracted illegally in more and more places. Dozens of arrests have been made as part of an investigation into the construction of illegal wells to irrigate avocado and mango plantations.
Spain is the largest producer of tropical fruit in Europe. Producers fear avocado production could decline by a quarter this year. Problems in agriculture lead to unrest among farmers. They went into action this week in northern Catalonia. They are asking for more help from the government.