Conditions have varied a good deal during the growing season with some regions faring better than others and some changing course during the year.
The dry weather during the summer affected the olives’ growth, but the harvest is at least as good as, and in some cases, better than last year.
Central regions of Italy such as Tuscany, Marche and Abruzzo are expected to give the best results. This year conditions in Tuscany have also been quite good which is welcome news, even though this is a relatively small producing region, it does produce some excellent oils.
We have been a little worried about attacks from the fruit fly since temperature and rain are now perfect for this parasite, but we are monitoring the situation, and generally speaking, it is a good harvest, but not abundant quantities of olives.
The situation is not the same in other parts of Italy. There are reports that production expectations in Gargano Apulia will be down by 50%, in Bari/Andria down 30/40%, Basilicata down by 60%, Calabria down by 20-30%, and Sicily by 40-50%. but again, the quality is particularly good.
Olive farmers in the South do not anticipate large volumes this year, but they expect a top-quality product, an early testing showing low acidity between 0.2% and 0.3%
Sources:
the olive oil times Sept 2024
Judy Ridgway October 2024
