The price of extra virgin olive oil in Italy remains high due to a prolonged drought affecting Mediterranean countries, particularly Spain, where water reserves are at a 22% low. The high prices are also due to scarce oil reserves and high export demand. The Spanish government has exempted olive oil from the current 5% VAT due to the high cost of living and increasing oil prices. Certified Origins, a leading company in olive oil production and distribution, anticipates a return to pre-crisis prices in the short to medium term, pending excellent production years.