Less rainfall in New Zealand has sparked hope for the country's growers, but the drier weather has come with another set of problems.
With growers in New Zealand preparing to start harvesting in late March, some are looking forward to a better outcome after a second-consecutive production decline last year.
New Zealand produced 125,000 liters of olive oil in 2023, down from 180,000 liters in 2022. The poor harvests came after bumper crops in 2020 and 2021, when the country produced 200,000 and 270,000 liters, respectively.
The quantity of fruit may not be quite as high as the last couple of big years, but the weather so far suggests that we will return to much higher oil yields and polyphenols.- Margaret Hanson, co-owner, Blue Earth
In December 2023, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) reported rainfall well above normal levels in certain areas, contrasted by below-normal levels in others.
According to NIWA data, producers will not have to contend with the extreme rainfall that marred their harvest last year, the country’s eighth wettest on record.
See Also:2024 Harvest Updates“After a couple of wet seasons, particularly last year, when it was so wet that two-thirds of our growers couldn’t get machinery into their groves, we are quietly optimistic this season is going to be better,” Emma Glover, Olives New Zealand’s executive officer, told Olive Oil Times.
However, she added that the South Island regions with a bumper crop last year would likely produce fewer olives due to the olive tree’s natural alternate bearing cycle.
The outcome is not set in stone, though. In March 2022, producers were optimistic for a third high production year. However, heavy rains and cool conditions during the harvest combined to lower the final yields.
Glover said the next few months are critical as the fruit ripens. With the harvest season starting soon for the early regions, most will begin harvesting slightly later, from the end of May to mid-July.
“Fruit set, in general, looks good, but it is patchy between groves and tree varieties as they bounce back differently from the last few years,” she said.
Diana Crosse, co-owner of Kāpiti Olives on the North Island north of Wellington, expressed optimism ahead of the harvest, which will start in her groves at the beginning of June.
“The crop on the trees looks very good, and we are hopeful of a high yield,” Crosse said. “The weather has been good,” but she added they would like more sunshine.
Meanwhile, Ross Vintiner, co-owner of Vintiner’s Grove in the North Island’s Wairarapa region, said the abrupt shift from too much rain to too little is taking a toll on his groves.
“After two years of consistent and heavy rain, the trees are regenerating, using most of their energy to regrow branches and foliage,” he said. “Now we are in near-drought. Fruiting has taken a hit with continued stress.”
“As with a number of local groves in the Wairarapa, fruit volumes and oil yield will be down compared to last year,” Vintiner added. “The oil quality will likely be very good, with high polyphenols expected from a very hot summer and likely autumn.”
He predicted that the harvest would begin in early May. “The trees look amazing, responding well to biodynamic and organic nurturing,” Vintiner said.
Margaret Hanson, the co-owner of Blue Earth, also from the Wairarapa region, is expecting results similar to Vintiner’s.
“After the last two wet years, the challenge this year so far is how dry it is,” she said. “A lot of work has gone into repairing irrigation that has not been used for a long time.”
Hanson said the yield of their Barnea olives will be down significantly this year. “It has not enjoyed the wet years and is exhausted after five big harvests in a row,” she said. “So we are taking the opportunity to do some major restructuring on our trees.”
“The rest look great,” Hanson added. “The quantity of fruit may not be quite as high as the last couple of big years, but the weather so far suggests that we will return to much higher oil yields and polyphenols. Good news.”
More articles on: 2024 harvest, New Zealand, olive farming
Oct. 26, 2023
Slovenian Producers Expect Low Harvest Due to Extreme Weather, Off-Year
With the harvest getting underway in Slovenia, expectations differ from producer to producer, but few are optimistic.
Sep. 16, 2024
University of California Releases Manual on Growing Olives for Oil Production
The Olive Production Manual for Oil covers olive farming, from positioning orchards to milling, with chapters written by experts in each field.
Feb. 23, 2024
After Bumper Harvests, a Sharply Lower Yield in Argentina
An ‘off-year’ harvest, lack of chill hours, and extreme weather events are expected to reduce the yield by as much as 40 percent.
Apr. 16, 2024
Tuscan Producer Adapts to a Changing Olive Oil Landscape
Fattoria di Volmiano embraces new ways to produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
Oct. 3, 2023
Optimism in Italy as Olive Harvest Gets Underway
While producers in southern Italy expect bumper crops, the fortunes of farmers in central and northern Italy are less certain.
Oct. 11, 2023
Olive Farmers Find Creative Ways to Beat Labor Shortages as Harvest Begins
A teacher in Italy allows students to miss class to help with the harvest. A Croatian man's one-year prison sentence was delayed to let him harvest the family grove.
Feb. 19, 2024
Conflict and Weather Extremes Dwindle Lebanese Harvest
The cross-border fire between the militant group Hezbollah and Israel has resulted in thousands of Lebanese fleeing north and even more olives left unharvested.
Nov. 27, 2023
Producers Behind Loco Galbasa Achieve Childhood Dream, World-Class Quality
The Sicilian brand Loco Galbasa combines the pursuit of quality and the commitment to environmental sustainability.