After a historically poor harvest, Uruguayan producers are expecting a much better year in 2021, according to the country’s Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries.
“The current harvest in our country (2020/21) is expected to be a good harvest,” the ministry wrote in its annual report on the agricultural sector. “It is estimated that the production volume is higher than the last harvest, but without reaching the record levels of the 2019 harvest.”
The 2018/19 crop year smashed records in the small South American country, which is sandwiched in between Argentina and Brazil, with production exceeding 2,500 tons. Many young trees entering maturity and favorable climatic conditions were both attributed to the bumper harvest.
See Also:Olive Oil Production NewsThis was followed by a historic low the following season, in which just 295 tons of olive oil were produced, down from initial estimates of around 700 tons. Low temperatures and frost at the time of flowering compounded an off-year in the output cycle.
This year, however, is more promising for the country’s olive farmers, with better climatic conditions during the flowering period and rain coming at the right moments for the trees.
As was to be expected, the ministry’s report also showed a significant drop off in Uruguayan olive oil exports in 2020. While the country only shipped 116 tons of olive oil to foreign destinations, the value of that oil nearly doubled compared with 2019.
From January to November, Uruguay sold its extra virgin olive oil abroad for an average price of $5.318 (€4.34) per kilogram, compared with the $2.559 (€2.09) per kilogram in 2019 and just above the average of the previous five years – $5.0128 (€4.09) per kilogram.
Over the past few harvest seasons, there has been a renewed focus on quality in Uruguay. The vast majority of the country’s producers see this as the only way to compete with larger producer nations in lucrative markets, such as Brazil and the United States, to which more than 80 percent of Uruguayan exports are destined.
“We have a small quantity of production, but very high quality,” Paula Ferrera, a representative from the Uruguayan Olive Association, told Olive Oil Times in a 2018 interview. “Quality is the only way we can compete with larger producers, such as Argentina, but we cannot compete in volume.”
More articles on: 2021 olive harvest, import/export, production
Mar. 31, 2022
Farmers in New Zealand Optimistic Ahead of Harvest
New techniques, better pruning and benevolent weather are fueling big expectations for the upcoming olive harvest.
May. 20, 2022
After 10 Successful Years Farming, Mother-Daughter Team Pivots to Oleotourism
The producers behind the Groves on 41 have parlayed award-winning production into a tourism operation focused on sustainable farming and cooking with olive oil.
Oct. 21, 2021
In Tuscany, Farmers Cope With Climate Challenges While Striving for Top Quality
After last year's outstanding harvest, Tuscan producers are preparing for a lighter one. A hot and dry summer is partly to blame.
Aug. 4, 2021
Greece Requests Aid for Expected Drop in Olive Oil and Table Olive Production
Some olive-producing regions in Greece are expecting yields to fall by 70 to 90 percent after a year of erratic weather conditions.
Dec. 9, 2021
Centonze, a Forward-Looking Farm Rooted in Sicily's History
In western Sicily’s Belice Valley, Centonze produces award-winning extra virgin olive oil, celebrating the land and history, while focusing on sustainability and innovation.
Feb. 28, 2022
Greece Registers Four PDO and PGI Olive Oils as Intellectual Property
The Greek extra virgin olive oils were registered with an international organization that protects the product from imitation and counterfeiters in 56 countries.
Mar. 2, 2022
Italian Farmers Take to The Streets Against War in Ukraine
Producers' organizations called on institutions to take steps toward peace, while farmers in several Italian cities rallied against the war in Ukraine.
Oct. 20, 2021
Japan’s Olive Harvest Gets Underway Amid Typhoon Season
Producers in Japan expect this year’s yield to match last year’s. However, typhoon season has led to different outcomes across the country.