We start a new month and, like every November, the new harvest oil has just arrived. It is time for new tastings, evaluations and discoveries, one of the most exciting moments of the year.
How do olive groves evaluate the new 2017 harvest?
According to current weather forecasts and in direct contact with producers, production in all of Spain has fallen by up to 14.7%. Many farms have managed to save production thanks to irrigation, but for olive growers it has not been a good campaign. In Jaén, the leading province of Spanish olive oil, the drop in production is estimated at 28.8% and in the Community of Castilla la Mancha it would reach 32%. Aragón, Murcia, Extremadura and other areas of Andalusia would moderate the decline. In Catalonia, the drop has only been 10% but it could reach half that in the southern regions.
Some farmers and experts predict that this year's drought will have repercussions on next year's olive harvest and, in fact, the effects of climate change are here to stay, meaning that many farms will have to adapt or reinvent themselves in the medium term.
Extra virgin olive oil, a safe bet
It is obvious that a drop in production can be accompanied by an increase in prices and in this regard, each oil mill applies a pricing and distribution policy that is consistent with its situation and that of its suppliers. But in the field of extra virgin oil, we must avoid any alarmism. EVOO is the type of oil that saw the least drop in sales during the last campaign because it has a more loyal public, surely thanks to its health benefits, its culinary versatility and the growing opportunities in the foreign market.
However, farmers have the resources to weather the drought and, by being in contact with experts in the sector, there is no reason to expect that the Spanish EVOO benchmarks will lose quality or prestige. In fact, we anticipate that many oils may come out stronger, since sometimes, having less water makes the olive tree produce fruits that favour juices with a more concentrated and intense flavour, so lovers of oils with spiciness and personality are in luck.
What can we expect from the new 2017 harvest?
Well... there may be a few surprises! The flavour of the oil from the new harvest usually changes compared to the previous one and, due to the drought, you will surely notice an increase in intensity but you will also find changes in some fruity notes and in other more subtle nuances.
This year, we will also find some surprises derived from the innovation of the oil mills, among which is the upcoming New Origin Oliva: an early harvest oil with a surprising flavour and presentation, about which we will give you all the details very soon.
Don't hesitate to visit our store to discover the new 2017 harvest oils. If you want to be among the first to find out about the launch of the New Origin Oliva this November, sign up for our newsletter.
