Catalonian Producers Warn of Worst Season in 15 Years

Catalonian producers warn that olive oil production in the region will be even lower than previously expected and that major price increases may ensue as a result.

The Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Catalonia (FCAC) warns that olive oil production for the 2022-2023 season could fall to 16,000 tons, far lower than the average of 31,000 tons for the region.

If the forecast proves accurate, it would make it the worst season in 15 years, with an almost 25 percent lower output than the 20,600 tons produced in the 2018/19 season, the previous record low. If production reaches 16,000 tons, the results would be even lower than the previous forecast of 19,000 tons made in September.

Antoni Galceran, head of olive oil at the FCAC, explained that “the drought with which we’re burdened after two consecutive years of rainfall deficit, aggravated by the heat waves that followed each other since May, and the heavy frosts of April, has led to a historic fall in the olive oil harvest, 50 percent lower than the average in Catalonia, that has severely affected rainfed areas.”

In addition to persistently unfavorable meteorological conditions, the drop in production has been aggravated over the past year by increased materials and energy costs, quadrupling in twelve months.

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The FCAC has requested an urgent meeting with the Department of Climate Action. According to Galceran, “expectations are not good, and […] it is necessary to establish measures to address the situation suffered by cooperatives in the olive oil sector today in order to avoid the substantial increase in consumer prices towards which we see ourselves heading.”

Throughout 2022, the consumer price of olive oil in Spain rose a staggering 50 percent. Extra virgin olive oils continue showing record-breaking weekly increases during the first few weeks of 2023.

Though the production drop is forecast to be 25 percent across Catalonia, several individual areas are expected to suffer even worse declines.

In Baix Ebre and Montsià, output could be as low as 4,500 tons, an 80 percent reduction from the average. In Lleida (Garrigues and Segrià), the drop is forecast at approximately 50 percent (6,000 tons), and in the producing areas of Tarragona, the situation is variable. In the provinces of Barcelona and Girona, around 1,000 tons are expected, 33 percent less than average.