Olive oil is used around the world for everything from salad dressings to natural medical treatments. We depend on it, and when we go to the store, we expect to find plenty of choices available. In fact, there are typically so many choices that we may have a difficult time choosing which one is right for us.
Unfortunately, we are now facing the real possibility of an olive oil shortage. In part, this is due to restrictions placed on production during the COVID pandemic but there is also a bacteria spreading quickly that is killing olive trees.
Xylella fastidiosa is the name of the bacteria that was discovered about a decade ago. It has been actively killing olive trees throughout Italy, including up to 20 million of those trees in Puglia, according to the Atlas Obscura. Once a tree is infected, they turn a pale color and there is no hope of reviving it.
Insects carry the bacteria from tree to tree as they eat the tree sap. It is not only the trees in Puglia that are being affected, other areas throughout the Mediterranean are either being affected or are at risk.
According to the New York Post, the owner of Sogno Toscano, a Italian culinary good retailer, said: “This is the most critical time [for olive oil]. There is an unforeseeable future.”
He went on to say that in the past five years, production has been reduced by about 50%. He also feels that they may not be doing what is necessary to beat the issue.
“It’s been way too many years that this has been an issue … it is ruining the crops. I am pretty worried. I love my country, but we’re not the best to taking matters into our own hands. There’s only been slow changes [in fixing the blight issue].”
Francesco D’Onofrio, who works with Supermarket Italy, says that they are doing enough to combat the issue by planting new trees, along with other government-based initiatives.
According to the New York Post, he said: “I’ve spoken with many major producers in Italy today and they do not see any issues with the product for the 2023 harvest.”
Beyond the blight that is affecting production, there is also the problem of the pandemic. It has made it difficult to produce and transport olive oil. There are also other issues involved, such as supply-chain problems and labor shortages.
As a result of the combination of problems, prices have increased for shipping up to 500%.
According to Olt News, Dave Greco of Mike’s deli in the Bronx said that olive oil and other imports have gone up from about $4000 up to as much as $12,000. As a result, he has had to raise his prices.
One other issue that is affecting olive oil production is the Ukraine invasion. As a result of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has stopped manufacturing sunflower oil, and they were the world leader in that product.
Since manufacturers are replacing sunflower oil with olive oil, the olive oil prices have increased up to 40%. It seems like the perfect storm, and it’s one that we hope passes.
