Climate change, the variable that most impacts production and the market, is determining the performance of the olive oil sector. This is emphasized ASSITOL, the Italian Association of the oil industry, a member of Federalimentare and Confindustria, commenting on the olive oil campaign that is coming to a close.
A September, forecasts indicated a return to normality, with a production estimate of 300 thousand tons, after years of drought and high costs. “It partly went like this - Explains Anna Cane, President of the Olive Oil Group of the Association - Italy has certainly recovered in terms of volume and market positioning. However, over the months, the outlook has diminished due to climate instability, which has now become a major factor.
In particular, the Spain, market leader in terms of production quantities, has been suffering the effects of cyclical flooding rains for monthsDuring the winter, severe weather also hit southern Italy hard. This enormous amount of rainfall endangers the health of olive trees, which cannot tolerate large amounts of water. Conversely, recent rising temperatures have allowed regions like Piedmont and the Aosta Valley to begin growing olives.
What future can we expect for the sector? “The concern – observes the president of the industrialists – is that the current climate phase could have an irreparable impact on the plants, worsening the historical production deficit of Italian olive growing, which is only able to satisfy a third of our needs, equal to one million tons"For this reason, for decades, olive oil companies have been forced to import from abroad, carefully selecting the raw materials in the Mediterranean.
We welcome the National Olive Oil Plan, promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture with the aim of increasing production and modernizing the sector by introducing new cultivation systems and varieties more resistant to water stress and plant diseases. This will also make it easier to promote the unique qualities of Italian extra virgin olive oil. A goal that will take time and commitment. “In such an uncertain situation due to the unpredictable climate – adds Anna Cane – It appears essential to diversify supply sources to offer consumers healthy and safe products, thanks to our traceability and quality control systems."
Italy already has a unique national network, consisting of eight competent authorities that monitor the products placed on the Italian market, both at the borders and at the mill. SIAN, the national electronic system that monitors olive oil flows entering and leaving Italy, ensures constant monitoring of the oils produced or simply placed on the market. “We have asked the European Commission to strengthen traceability across Europe – recalls the president of the olive oil entrepreneurs – extending the Sian to all of Europe”.
Olive oil is also the only food product subjected to sensory analysis (panel testing), which evaluates its quality before being released for sale, based on the judgment of a group of professional tasters. Each oil mill conducts thousands of in-house checks each year on raw materials and their finished products. Today, technology, through the increasingly widespread use of QR codes, allows consumers to follow the oil's entire journey, from field to table.
According to data from the International Olive Council, olive oil represents 4% of the world's dietary fat consumption. “There is still a lot of work to be done – concludes the president of the ASSITOL olive oil group – to promote our extra virgin olive oil, which is not just any condiment, but a combination of flavors, history, health, and conviviality."
