Considering the seasonal climate trend, characterised by strong and prolonged heat combined with severe drought phenomena and the lower production expected for the 2024 olive oil year , an early start to the campaign is desirable.
The first harvests will likely begin late, starting in early October, with full harvesting expected in November. Beyond Italy, it's important to note that weather conditions have significantly shortened growing cycles in the main olive-growing areas of the Mediterranean basin. In Andalusia (the world's largest olive oil producer), harvest is expected to begin in the first week of September.
The 2024 olive oil campaign in Southern Italy
This year, Frantoio D'Orazio specifically saw a decline in production of approximately 30% compared to the 2023 crop year. This decline is attributable solely to alternate bearing, a physiological process typical of the olive tree, which can only be mitigated with good agricultural practices.
At a general level throughout southern Italy, olive production, according to estimates by several bodies, is lower than last year, due to:
-
production alternation
-
very severe drought occurred between winter and spring
-
prolonged summer heat, with maximum temperatures well above the heat stress threshold.
- the 2023 harvest was late, due to the lack of winter cold and the consequent absence of winter vegetative stasis.
All these characteristics, both organic and environmental in nature, are causing the olives to be few this year .
Even those who had been very good at managing and treating their plants last year but were unable to adequately irrigate the trees saw their potential production reduced (and in some cases lost) which, although evident, was partially compromised.
The olive trees flowered, the olives set but then did not develop properly, in some cases drying up completely and falling to the ground.
What effect do high temperatures have on olives?
The olive tree is native to hot, sub-arid areas (the Middle East), and for this reason it has evolutionary adaptations that make it particularly capable of surviving in hot, dry environments.
However, surviving is different from producing and despite having these "genetic advantages" in the great heat and with the scarcity of water it tends to reduce energy-intensive activities to a minimum, limiting itself to survival.
The process of formation and ripening of olives on the trees is complex and influenced by a multitude of factors, both genetic and, above all, environmental: the condition of the trees, climatic conditions, agronomic management, and harvest time.
In summary, satisfactory olive production (quantity and quality) can be linked to the general well-being of the tree.
This year, the main factor capable of "negatively" influencing this result was the combination of long periods of scorching heat combined with very little useful precipitation, since last autumn.
Going into specifics, it is possible to affirm that plants are dependent on the presence of water in the soil in order to carry out the most important metabolic process of all: photosynthesis.
It is precisely during this process, which takes place in the leaves during the day, that plants produce the energy sources necessary to carry out all the metabolic processes necessary for their survival and development (including setting and ripening olives).
Furthermore, it must be said that drought is often accompanied by high levels of solar radiation and high temperatures, conditions in which trees tend to implement defense mechanisms that further limit photosynthesis and other metabolic processes that are not essential for their survival (olive development).
From this it is easy to understand how a lack of water supplies in the portion of soil explored by the roots and high temperatures correspond to stunted growth of the trees and a reduction in their productive potential.
Extra virgin olive oil production 2024
In olive oil production , Italy will lose its second-place position behind Spain, which it regained last year, giving way to Tunisia, Turkey, and Greece. These countries are experiencing steady growth, and their production expectations, after a difficult year, significantly exceed those of Italy.
This is the picture emerging from Spain , where production estimates for the 2024/2025 olive oil campaign were presented, revealing very interesting data. As reported by the Spanish newspaper Olimerca , "as we approach the new olive harvest in the main producing countries of the Mediterranean area, the first assessments and estimates of olive oil production are beginning to circulate."
Although it is still premature to formulate precise hypotheses or speculations, since the olive tree still needs 6-8 weeks to improve in size and oil content, many operators in the sector are observing the fields and olive groves to estimate, from the volume of olives, what the final olive oil yield could be.
