UPA Highlights Missed Economic Opportunity in Spain’s 2024/2025 Olive Oil Campaign
UPA criticizes low prices and missed profitability in Spain's 2024/2025 olive oil campaign despite strong sales volume.
- • UPA identifies a missed profitability opportunity in the 2024/2025 olive oil campaign.
- • Spain sold about 1.52 million tons, exceeding previous production years.
- • A one-euro price increase could have added 1.558 billion euros to sector income.
- • UPA urges sector modernization and improved producer compensation.
Key details
The Unión de Pequeños Agricultores y Ganaderos (UPA) expressed sharp disappointment over the economic outcomes of Spain's 2024/2025 olive oil campaign, which concluded with sales of approximately 1.52 million tons. UPA stated this volume surpassed production levels seen in previous productive years, yet lamented that the campaign represented a significant missed opportunity for sector profitability, especially for traditional olive farms.
According to UPA, the sector was positioned to achieve record income, but certain operators prioritized high volume and low prices, undermining fair compensation for producers. The organization emphasized that a mere one euro increase in the sale price could have generated an additional 1.558 billion euros in revenue, translating into around 4,000 euros extra per farm. This assertion challenges claims of structural overproduction, noting only two of the last ten years saw sales exceed production.
UPA calls for lessons to be learned ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, urging modernization and fairer pricing strategies to enhance farmers' profitability. The organization stresses that consumer confidence remains strong but must be matched by equitable sector policies to truly benefit producers and the Spanish olive oil economy.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.