Italy’s Puglia region is facing high levels of heat and drought, causing water scarcity that is having negative consequences for the region’s production of olive oil.
Italy’s olive oil production, particularly in the southern region of Puglia, is facing consequences from extreme heat and drought.
In the province of Foggia, this November’s harvest is expected to be 50-80% less than last year, according to Pietro Leone, who manages an agricultural company.
The Capaccio dam is one of four reservoirs that provides water to the province for industry, irrigation and drinking purposes. It is fed by a stream that transports rainwater into the reservoir.
This year, however, the dam only contains two and a half cubic metres of water, compared to the usual 17 million cubic metres, which was filled last winter. The other three reservoirs are only 50% full.
Although olive trees may need less water than other crops to thrive, low water levels and temperatures above 40 degrees for 50 consecutive days could put the production of olives and olive oil at risk.
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