At first glance, autumn on Mallorca may appear to be a lush green, but a closer look at the olive trees reveals that something is missing - the fruit. Where last year there were still long queues of cars in front of the tafones, the island's oil mills, today there is a yawning emptiness. Mallorca's golden elixir, olive oil, seems difficult to harvest this year. And the crisis is hitting the island hard.
A drastic slump on the horizon
There are still no official figures, but the voices from the oil mills are unmistakable. "Olive growers used to come with around 500 kilos, now they hardly bring more than 100 kilos," explains a spokesperson for Tafona Son Pujol in Santa Margalida. In some areas, the decline is over 60 percent. A figure that hangs over the island's agricultural heritage like a dark cloud.
Responsible? The drought - and a tiny opponent
While the summer on Mallorca once again broke records with a lack of rainfall, the drought did far more than just dry out the soil. It provided the perfect breeding ground for the olive fruit fly, this inconspicuous but all the more destructive enemy of olive growers. "The fly plants its larvae in the flesh of the fruit and destroys the olive from the inside out," complains Juan Bernat, a farmer from Caimari, the municipality that is actually known for its lush olive groves.
Olive oil remains a luxury good
For consumers, this means that prices for authentic Mallorcan olive oil will continue to rise. It is already considered one of the most expensive olive oils in Spain, a product for connoisseurs and aficionados. In the future, it will be even rarer and more exclusive on supermarket shelves.
Spain: Bright spots despite years of crisis
But the tragedy is not national: after two disastrous years, olive oil production in Spain has increased by 48% to 1.26 million tons. This figure sounds impressive, but it is still below the five-year average of 1.44 million tons. Reserves are almost exhausted, so a drastic fall in prices is out of the question.
An island fights for its heritage
Mallorca's olive groves are more than just agricultural land - they are the heart of the island. "The trees tell the stories of generations," says Bernat. But these stories are in danger of being silenced by climate change and changing conditions. What remains is a call for support, be it through innovative agriculture or targeted measures against pests and extreme weather conditions.
A bittersweet fall
This autumn will be remembered by many Mallorcans - not for the smell of freshly pressed olives, but for empty tables and the question of how long the island will be able to preserve its traditions. But amidst all the gloom, there remains a spark of hope. Perhaps the few drops of oil this year are more precious than ever - not only for the palate, but also for the soul.
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