natural disasters
Oct. 8, 2020
Harvest Underway in California Amid Historic Wildfires, Covid Concerns
Producers are predicting smaller yields than last year. The record wildfires appear to have had a minimal effect on the state's olive farmers.
Sep. 25, 2020
Italy Approves Aid for Mills Hit by 2018 Snow Storm
Italy pledged €8 million to help mills and processing cooperatives affected by the Burian snow storm.
Aug. 7, 2020
Farmers, Politicians Blame Each Other as Wildfires Burn in Puglia
Farmers have blamed the rapid spread of the wildfires on dead olive trees that were killed by Xylella fastidiosa and never removed by local governments. Some politicians have insinuated that these trees are being intentionally burned.
Jun. 1, 2020
Ancient Olive Trees Burn in Jordan Wildfires
Thousands of acres in one of the most important Jordan regions for olive oil production are burning.
May. 20, 2020
Monumental Olive Trees in Cyprus Destroyed by Wildfires
Wildfires ravaged northern Cyprus last weekend, destroying tens of thousands of acres of crops and forest. Olive growers and oil producers, already struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, are facing additional challenges in the aftermath of the blaze.
Mar. 23, 2020
Coronavirus Deals Another Blow to an Industry Already Reeling
An Olive Oil Times survey reveals growing despair and uncertainty for an industry that seemed under attack even before the pandemic arrived.
Mar. 21, 2020 News Briefs
Mar. 21, 2020 Europe
Olive Oil Sales Jump While Italian Economy Shrinks From COVID-19
Mar. 19, 2020 Europe
Demand for Olive Oil in Spain Rises as Country Goes Into Coronavirus Lockdown
Mar. 11, 2020 Business
COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy Brings Critical Promotion Season to a Standstill
Jan. 27, 2020 Australia / NZ
Australian Producers Making Do Despite Bush Fires, Record Drought
Jan. 27, 2020
Wildfires Unlikely to Impact 2019 Production Figures in California
Olive growers have largely been spared the fate of wine producers, who are likely to suffer setbacks from the Kincade fire that raged through Sonoma county late last year.
Jan. 13, 2020
Drought, Not Fire, Remains the Bane of Australian Olive Growers
Australia's olive growers have mostly been spared from the wildfires that have been ravaging the country. Persistent drought, however, continues to cause concern.
Sep. 28, 2018
Fire in Tuscan Countryside, Thousands of Olive Trees Up in Smoke
A massive wildfire on Mount Serra, in the province of Pisa, devastated a huge area of woodland and ten thousand olive trees.
Apr. 19, 2018
Landslide in Western Greece Sweeps Olive Trees Away
About 2,500 centenarian olive trees were swallowed by the tumbling soil.
Oct. 23, 2017
Wildfires Not Expected to Impact Record Olive Oil Production in California
The 2017 harvest is on track for a record production of 4.3 million gallons, according to the California Olive Oil Council.
Oct. 10, 2017
'Apocalyptic' Scenes in Napa and Sonoma
Communities along Northern California's famous wine region have been ravaged by wildfires that came out of nowhere.
Jul. 10, 2017
Wildfire Destroys Grove in Turkey
In an ironic twist of fate, Turkey's olive trees had just been saved from proposed changes to the country's “olive law” when they went up in flames.
Nov. 24, 2014
Could the Crisis in Italy Have Been Prevented?
2014 will go down as one of the worst years in recent history for olive oil production in Italy. One expert thinks it didn't have to be this bad.
Nov. 3, 2014
This part of central Italy is famous for its quality oil grown on stony hillsides, but this year the olive fly has caused havoc in Umbria.
Nov. 3, 2014
Add France to Growing List of Poor Harvests
The olive fly enjoyed a mild winter in Provence this year, devastating crops and the region's prized olive oils.
Oct. 30, 2014
Umbrian Leaders Seek Action for 'Huge Damages' to Region's Growers
Umbria's olive oil production will suffer a dramatic loss, that in some areas could reach 80 percent.
Oct. 27, 2014
Umbrian Farmers Find Little to Celebrate
Umbrian farmers are in no mood to celebrate this year's dismal harvest. Many will simply leave the olives to rot on their trees.
Oct. 20, 2014
Ruinous Floods in Liguria Add to Poor Outlook for Italian Production
Damaging floods in Liguria are adding to a rough year for Italian olive oil farmers, resulting in a drop in production and rising prices.
Oct. 1, 2014
Experts Gathering in Italy to Tackle New Olive Tree Killer
Experts from around the world will meet in Gallipoli, the epicenter of the outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa that threatens thousands of olive trees.
Sep. 4, 2014
Italy Unveils Plan to Battle Olive Tree Killer
The Italian Ministry of Agriculture has promised to increase monitoring, research, and funding to better understand Xylella Fastidiosa.
