A recent report from the Coordinator of Agriculture and Livestock Organizations (COAG) found that climate change has resulted in €550 million of losses per annum for the Spanish agricultural sector, equivalent to approximately 6 percent of its total value,
The report was the first to document the impacts of climate change on Spain’s olive groves, vineyards, pastures and cereal crops.
Taking urgent action today to keep warming below 1.5 °C is more efficient and less costly. The prevention of climate change, therefore, will help us protect our agriculture and economy.
The research indicated that global temperatures rising 1.5 ºC above the pre-industrial average could result in the loss of 80 percent of agricultural land suitable for olive varieties such as Manzanilla or Hojablanca in Andalusia, which is home to 60 percent of all Spanish olive groves.
Previous research estimated that olive oil production in the Sierra Mágina, in south-central Jaén, would decrease by 3.5 percent and 7 percent for irrigated and rainfed olive groves, respectively, with a 1.5 ºC temperature rise.
See Also:Researchers Work to Identify Olive Varieties Best Adapted to Higher TemperaturesHowever, the report also predicted the country’s iconic Picual variety would withstand this level of temperature rise and continue to maintain yields despite extended dry spells.
The report also predicted that such a 1.5 ºC increase would reduce wheat yields by 8 percent and land used for high-quality wine production by 10 percent.
The COAG report further found that a 2 ºC increase in global temperatures will see an 11 percent decrease in water resources and endanger the holm oak pastures, an iconic part of the southern Iberian landscape, in western Extremadura and Andalusia.
Further, a 2.5°C increase would affect Picual olives significantly and probably result in the disappearance of holm oak pastures in most parts of southern Spain.
Many in Andalusia, the world’s largest olive oil-producing region by a wide margin, worry that hotter springs will adversely affect olive trees when they bloom and endanger future olive harvests.
During the presentation of the report, Andoni García, the head of trade union action at COAG, said that the results of climate risks should be the basis for developing strategies to avert climate change and protect agricultural lands.
“Taking urgent action today to keep warming below 1.5 °C is more efficient and less costly,” he said. “The prevention of climate change, therefore, will help us protect our agriculture and economy and ensure that an eternal summer does not dry out our gastronomy, traditions, culture and identity.”
Related Articles
Sep. 19, 2023
Data Will Define Next 25 Years at California Olive Ranch, CEO Says
California Olive Ranch grew from a single olive farm to the largest producer in the United States. Now, the company plans to harness the power of data to keep growing.
Nov. 29, 2023
Chilean Producer Bets Big on Italian Varieties
Olivos Ruta del Sol takes advantage of Chile’s terroir to produce some of the country's best extra virgin olive oils.
Oct. 3, 2023
Olive Oil Production Seen as Path to Revitalization in Tunisia's Gafsa Region
Phosphate production dominates the local economy, but the local population has not seen the benefits. Expansion of olive growing and oil production may provide a solution.
Jul. 5, 2023
DCOOP Reports Record Olive Oil Sales at Annual Meeting
While revenues were up, the general director of the world’s largest olive oil cooperative said farmers had not seen significant gains in profitability.
Oct. 11, 2023
Small-Scale, Regenerative Farming Drives Quality for Maraviglia in Tuscany
Since 2019, the producer behind Agricola Maraviglia has found a symbiotic balance between nurturing the landscape and producing award-winning olive oil.
Aug. 2, 2023
Sustainable Farming is Key to Quality as California Becomes Hotter and Drier
Investing in renewable energy, drip irrigation and organic practices helps the producers behind Spanish Oaks Ranch achieve award-winning quality.
Aug. 14, 2023
State-of-the-Art Irrigation Management Leads to Rising Yields in California
To endure a changing climate, new approaches for managing and optimizing irrigation are paramount.
Jan. 25, 2024
Record Olive Oil Prices Drive Down Consumption in Spain
Consumers are using less olive oil, buying smaller formats and switching to lower-quality categories.