News — andalusie
Is Italian olive oil better than Spanish olive oil? Even the Financial Times surprisingly opts for Spain
Many people automatically think of Italy when they think of premium olive oil. Tuscany, Umbria, and colorful labels have for years shaped the image of what the best extra virgin olive oil should be. But is that actually true? In the summer of 2026, the Financial Times, just after we published our own article "How Italian is Italian olive oil really?" at the end of June, published a striking article titled “Sorry, but Spanish olive oil is far superior to Italian.” That might sound provocative, and on social media, the discussion flared up about whether Greek, Italian, Turkish, or Spanish...
Olive oil under pressure: how climate change is affecting Andalusian olive oil
Written by: Niels van Rijn Olive oil has become an indispensable part of our daily lives: a drizzle on a salad, a dip alongside a sandwich, or incorporated into various cosmetics. Yet, this "liquid gold" conceals a growing problem. The olive oil sector in Andalusia is under increasing pressure due to climate change. What does this mean for Spanish olive growers and, ultimately, for our wallets? Endless rows of olive trees bearing countless olives ready for cultivation. Around the Spanish city of Jaén (Andalusia, southern Spain), you can't miss them. "With over 66 million olive trees covering 550,000 hectares (more...
2025/2026 Spanish olive oil harvest: a preview for extra virgin olive oil
After a wet spring, the 2025/26 Spanish olive oil harvest looked promising, but a hot, dry summer dampened optimism. Andalusia's official forecast (aforo) estimates national production at around 1.44 million tons, slightly lower than 2024/25 but above the five-year average. The sector remains stressed: stocks are low and prices are strongly influenced by autumn rainfall.
Extra virgin olive oil with DO Sierra de Segura
My father was born in the Sierra de Segura, in a small village called Los Prados de Armijo. This region is located deep in the interior of Spain, about 300 km south of Madrid and about 200 km north-east of Granada. From an early age we always went there to visit our family, including my grandfather and grandmother. The large number of olive trees have always made a deep impression on me and have always stayed with me, although when I was young I had no idea how important this region is for the production of olive oil worldwide and...
