The National Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) warned this Wednesday, 26th, of a drop in the price of olives and rising costs, which is leading to a drop in income, calling for the appreciation of traditional olive groves.
“The olive harvest is at its peak, but the quantity and yield of olive oil registers a significant drop compared to the previous campaign”, pointed out, in a statement, the CNA.
As indicated, a kilogram of olives is being paid at 0.55 euros, below the 0.75 euros in 2024 or the 1.10 euros practiced three years ago.
According to the confederation, many producers are delivering their olives to the mills without knowing when and how much they will receive, “there are even reports from producers who have been told that they will only receive them in September of next year”.
Added to this is the increase in production costs, particularly in traditional olive groves, particularly with labor, fertilizers, fuels and phytosanitary treatments.
The operating costs of the mills also increased, in some cases, from 12 cents per kilogram (kg) in the 2024 campaign to 14 cents.
For the CNA, this is the consequence of the “total deregulation of the market”, which translates into a “profoundly unfair” situation, which could have serious consequences for traditional olive groves.
The CNA thus demands public policies for the valorization of traditional olive groves, such as an integrated plan for its revitalization, the promotion of the consumption of national olive oil in public canteens and the inclusion, within the scope of the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC), of an intervention dedicated to traditional olive groves.