Despite expectations for more olive oil coming out of the mills compared to last year, the warm and dry weather that prevailed the time period before the harvest resulted in lower oil quantities in certain areas of southern Greece. Olive trees carry more olive drupes but the oil taken after processing is less, since the dry conditions disfavored the oil formation inside the drupes.
Sakis Georgopoulos, a producer at Ilia region in Peloponnesus, said that the output of olive processing is less than usual and prices for EVOO are down to 2.30 – 2.40 euros, anticipating a difficult season. The late rains of September didn’t really help; instead, they allowed for occurrences of fungi in the olives.
Elias Koronios, a producer at Messinia region, was surprised to see one of his olive orchards giving more than 40 sacks of olives compared to the usual 25 sacks, but he was highly disappointed when he heard the news from the oil mill; the volume of the oil was hardly equal to that of previous years when he had lower olive yield, meaning more effort for less revenue. There is even an ongoing process for compensating the local olive oil producers for the damage caused by the drought.
So far, it seems that the incident occurs only at low altitude cultivations and the trees located on hills or slopes — which mostly produce high quality olive oil — are unaffected.
As weather has become unstable and unpredictable, farmers and oil producers should prepare to cope with phenomenal predicaments in the future. After all, it is the combination of the special micro-climate, ground morphology and cultivating techniques that yield olive oil of superior quality in the various regions of Greece. If one of the three components is absent, then the model collapses.
Related Articles
Jun. 27, 2023
Chalkidiki Olive Farmers Face Tragic Fruit Set After Another Mild Winter
Table olive producers on the northern Greek peninsula are at the mercy of the region’s ever-changing microclimate, which threatens to eviscerate the approaching harvest.
Oct. 26, 2023
High-Priced Olive Oil Fuels Thefts in Greece, Farmers Respond
Tons of olive oil were stolen from a mill in northern Greece. Meanwhile, producers in Crete are contemplating anti-theft measures such as GPS trackers.
Aug. 29, 2023
No Respite in Greece as Wildfires Incinerate Ancient Olive Groves in Makri
Wildfires continue to wreak havoc in rural Greece, partially destroying the traditional Makri olive grove and leaving local producers in despair.
Mar. 19, 2024
Registration of Kalamata Olives as Intellectual Property Renews Controversy in Greece
The registration of the Kalamata table olive PDO from Messenia with WIPO will restrict the term's use by table olive producers in Greece, re-igniting an ongoing debate.
May. 15, 2023
Greek Producers Celebrate a Strong Showing in New York
With 90 awards earned at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, producers from Greece reaffirmed their devotion to quality.
Oct. 16, 2023
Olive Trees on Public Land Provide Bountiful Harvest for Italian Locals
A growing number of local authorities encourage local citizens and schools to harvest abandoned olive trees on public lands.
Dec. 5, 2023
Soaring Expenses Strain Producers in Southern Europe
Olive oil producers in Spain, Italy and Greece are grappling with challenges that threaten the viability of the sector.
Aug. 7, 2023
In Greece, Olive Oil Remains Absent from Restaurant and Tavern Tables
The use of bulk olive oil in cruets for customer consumption has been banned in eateries since 2018. However, sealed, non-refillable bottles have failed to replace them.