natural disasters
Jan. 15, 2021
Producers Warn of 'Incalculable Damage' in Wake of Filomena
Asaja Madrid estimates that the region's olive harvest will fall by 35 percent as a result of the blizzard.
Jan. 11, 2021
Historic Blizzard Threatens Olive Groves in Spain
Storm Filomena dropped up to 50 centimeters of snow across central and northern Spain over the weekend. Depending on how temperatures evolve over the next few days, olive groves could experience significant damage.
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 Europe
Mar. 23, 2020 World
Coronavirus Deals Another Blow to an Industry Already Reeling
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
Covid-19 Lockdown in Italy Brings Critical Promotion Season to a Standstill
At a time when Italy's agriculture sector was already reeling, the coronavirus lockdown has wiped out major spring events and promotional activities.
Jan. 27, 2020
Australian Producers Making Do Despite Bush Fires, Record Drought
In spite of a record drought and devastating bush fires, some large Australian producers are expecting close to an average production and high-quality oils in 2020.
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.
Dec. 11, 2014
California's 'Rainpocalypse' Good News for State's Olive Oil Producers
From one extreme to the other, California farmers are hoping a "biblical rain" will bring relief from this year's historic drought.
Dec. 8, 2014
Apulia Asks Italian Government for Help with Olive Tree Epidemic
The president of Apulia sent a letter to the Italian Prime Minister for an urgent meeting over the year-long Xylella fastidiosa epidemic.
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.
