ROME - Collapse of 36% for 2020 production of extra virgin olive oil in a two-speed Italy, but the quality remains excellent throughout the territory.
This is what emerges from the survey conducted by Italian Cia-Agricoltori, Italia Olivicola and Aifo (Italian Association of Oil Millers) which estimates a total production of just over 235 thousand tons compared to 366 thousand tons last season.
The estimates will be dragged down by the southern regions, on which a large part of Italian production depends, with the 51% drop in Puglia (-51%) which is affected by a discharge season.
The collapse of the Salento scourged by Xylella does not stop, where an estimated 2 thousand tons of oil, 50% less than last year.
Puglia which, despite this, remains the national olive growing area with an estimated 101 thousand tons of product, 44% of the total Italian production.
Followed by Sicily (-17%) which undermined Calabria (-45%) thanks to the good temperatures of these weeks.
Negative sign also for Campania (-12%), Basilicata (-20%), Molise (-20%), Sardinia (-26%) and Abruzzo (-33%).
Situation reversed, however, in the central and northern regions.
Production was stable in Lazio (+ 6%), rising in Tuscany (+ 24%), Umbria (+ 40%), Marche (+ 48%) and Emilia Romagna (+ 52%).
The Oscar for the best production increase, despite the small quantities, goes to Lombardy (+ 1,727%) which goes from 123 to 2248 tons estimated for this year.
Great growth also for Liguria (+ 145%), Trentino Alto Adige (+ 265%), Friuli Venezia Giulia (+ 770%) and Veneto (+ 995%).