Olive growing starting to take root in central Europe

Published 2024년 4월 12일

Tridge summary

In response to the earliest recorded 'heat day' in southern Austria on April 7th, with temperatures reaching 30 ºC, the Agro Rebels Agency, initiated by Daniel Rössler, Lukas Hecke, and Markus Fink, has started to cultivate Mediterranean fruit trees, including olives, as a new source of income for Austrian farmers. This move comes as part of a broader trend across Europe, where regions previously too cold for such crops, including northeastern Croatia and northern Italy, are now adapting to climate change by embracing olive cultivation. The shift is underscored by data from Italy, showing a significant increase in olive grove areas in central and southern parts of the country from 1992 to 2018, despite a slight overall decrease in olive grove surface area. This adaptation strategy reflects local efforts to mitigate the economic impacts of climate change on agriculture, with the first crop of table olives already harvested in Austria and olive oil production planned for the following year.

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Original content

On April 7th, the mercury hit 30 ºC in southern Austria, the earliest that the Alpine nation has ever reached what the national weather service describes as a “heat day.” Yet experts warn that this record could easily be replaced by the end of the decade as climate change results in higher temperatures across Europe. “It’s getting hotter and drier, and by 2030, temperatures in Austria could resemble today’s in parts of southern Europe,” said Daniel Rössler, Lukas Hecke and Markus Fink, the founders of Agro Rebels Agency. The three co-founders agree the clock cannot be turned back on climate change, but farmers can adapt. So, a few years ago, they started growing Mediterranean fruit trees in Austria, including olives. “The goal is to open up new sources of income for our farmers,” they said. The three partners test these non-native fruits and vegetables in the field with scientists and grow them in collaboration with farmers. They eventually plan to sell the produce under a ...

Source: Olive Oil Times