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Spain, the world’s largest olive oil producer, is only harvesting half of a normal harvest this year.
The disaster on the Spanish olive oil plantations began in the spring. The exceptional heat took its toll on the blossoms of the olive trees. Andalusian olive oil producers like Rafael Alonso could only watch helplessly: “Hot temperatures stress the tree, especially when it is blooming. It then forms fewer olives. If there is too little rain, you can water. But there’s nothing you can do about the heat.” The result can now be seen in autumn: the harvest volume of the world market leader Spain has halved. For the second time in a row.
Noticeable price increases
This also has consequences for olive oil prices in Switzerland, even though olive oil is mainly imported from Italy. But since many Italian growing areas are also complaining about current crop failures, the global supply of olive oil is becoming scarce and prices are rising. For example, the Bertolli olive oil “Olio extra virgin di oliva Originale” (500ml) currently costs CHF 8.45 at Denner. This is an increase of over 42% compared to 2021. Or at Lidl, Spanish “extra virgin” olive oil increased in price by over 63% to a liter price of CHF 7.99 in the same period. And Coop’s Prix Guarantee olive oil has increased in price by 70% in the same period.
“Oil crisis” calls Panscher on the scene
With limited supply and rising prices, adulterers are getting a taste for it. The most common scam is to replace the oil with cheaper, refined oils or mix it with sunflower oil, says the head of the Spanish Public Health Laboratory in Madrid. The Spanish authorities and the international association “International Olive Counsel” therefore carry out regular spot checks and quality controls in their laboratories.
You can rely on “Extra Virgin”.
The consumer program “A Bon Entendeur” on RTS television in western Switzerland checked the quality of 12 bottles from the retail trade. It’s about the “extra virgin” label. This quality award requires that the oils come from high-quality harvests and are cold-pressed. A laboratory in Lisbon tested these oils, chemically and sensory. The good news: All olive oils deserve the “extra virgin” label. This wasn’t always the case; in an earlier test, more than a quarter of the oils had to be classified.
Price comparison is worth it
All oils met the criteria for the “extra virgin” label. However, the price range is big. The cheapest oil costs just under 8 francs per liter (Lidl Primadonna, Spain). At the other end, the Italian olive oil from Globus for a liter price of 60 francs. Lidl sells the cheapest organic olive oil for around 13 CHF per liter.