Olive oil reaches PLN 60 per litre amidst climate change concerns
Unsettling news from Western Europe: climate change and global warming are driving up the prices of essential goods. In Spain, where olive oil is a staple, many are being forced to switch to sunflower oil due to soaring costs.
It is no secret that climate change is becoming increasingly evident. Temperatures are rising globally, droughts are becoming routine in some regions, and sudden floods inundating entire cities are no longer surprising. Despite this, many still refuse to take the crisis seriously, dismissing it as a fabrication by left-wing politicians and activists. However, the harsh reality is undeniable: global warming is real and impacts every aspect of our lives.
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As droughts ravage the planet, many crop, vegetable, and fruit plantations struggle to thrive. The lack of rainfall is causing many of these plants to wither and die, leading to smaller harvests and, consequently, higher prices. This is precisely the situation faced by people in Spain. The intense heat has significantly reduced the olive harvest compared to last year, making the production of olive oil much more costly and driving prices to unprecedented levels.
Spaniards forced to give up olive oil
A report by Anierac, the association for oil refining, was released on Wednesday, 21 August, revealing stark statistics. The data leaves no doubt: sunflower oil has begun to dominate Spanish cuisine, a shift that was once unthinkable. The driving force behind this change is the skyrocketing price of olive oil, which has become so expensive that many people have abandoned it altogether.
As reported by Energetyka24.com, the organisation's figures show that in the first half of 2024, Spaniards purchased 107 million litres of various types of olive oil, compared to 179 million litres of sunflower oil. This stark contrast demonstrates that people on the Iberian Peninsula are doing everything possible to economise. According to experts, the reduced olive harvest and higher oil prices were significantly influenced by the intense spring heat that swept across the country.
Exorbitant olive oil prices in Spain
According to Energetyka24.com, last year, a litre of sunflower oil cost an average of β¬1.86 (around PLN 8), while the price of more expensive olive oils exceeded β¬6 (nearly PLN 26) per litre, reflecting a 50% increase from 2022. Moreover, in some supermarket chains, a bottle of extra virgin olive oil is now priced at β¬14.5 (about PLN 62), effectively turning it into a luxury item.
Source: energetyka24.com
