Italian Olive Oil Production to Decline Due to Heat and Drought Conditions
Olive Oil
Olive
Italy
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
Market & Price Trends
Marina Benino
Published Sep 9, 2022
In the 2021/22 season Italy returned to its position as the second largest global producer of olive oil, only outproduced by Spain. Unfortunately, predictions for the 2022/23 season are far from promising. Production starts in October, and while it is still too early to accurately forecast the volume of olive oil for the new campaign, there are visible signs of olive trees in distress, with 20% less fruit growth mostly caused by climate imbalances.
Olive trees are renowned to be resistant to drought, however water is still fundamental to the life cycle of the tree. Thus, incidences of extreme heat and shortage of rainfall force the plant to sacrifice a part of the production. In other words, while the olives can still grow, water stress dehydrates the pulp and compromises its development, simultaneously shrinking the formation of oil. Table olives, pickled olives and derivatives will also experience a downturn in production for the 2022/23 season.
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