October 13, 2023.—The total olive harvest is estimated at 750,000 kg, from which 125,000 liters of oil will be produced. The Lágrima EVOO kicks off the season.
The extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) season begins at the Viver Cooperative with the production of “Lágrima,” its premium EVOO made exclusively from the native Palancia mountain variety. Overall, the cooperative estimates an 86% increase in extra virgin olive oil production for this season, with a total estimated olive harvest of 750,000 kg, 75% of which will be of the Serrana variety. Although this average production is still far from the 1,200,000 kg that could be harvested in a good year, it is a very encouraging figure compared to the 104,607 kg of olives harvested during the previous season, from which barely 15,963 liters of oil were produced—representing a 90% loss of the expected harvest. The projected volume for this year will result in approximately 125,000 liters of extra virgin olive oil, with which the Viver Cooperative would begin to return to its usual production and sales figures for EVOO, which can reach up to 240,000 liters. The irrigated olive groves have sustained production, yielding abundant, high-quality fruit, while the rain-fed olive trees have suffered another setback due to adverse weather conditions—specifically, persistent drought and late rains that affected flowering, preventing the fruit from setting.
All EVOOs are available again
Lágrima EVOO is the first to kick off the olive oil season, with production expected to reach 35,000 liters—representing about 30% of the total 125,000 liters projected. This is a gourmet extra virgin olive oil made exclusively from Serrana olives. The olives are harvested at an early stage of ripeness and processed on the same day within just four hours, resulting in an EVOO with a rich aroma, great freshness, and very low acidity. It will be followed by Vivarium Green, a blend made primarily from Serrana olives at the veraison stage, with a percentage of Arbequina, Picual, and Villalonga olives, for which production is estimated at 12,000 liters—10% of the total. The Ohsade organic extra virgin olive oil will return to the market after a one-year hiatus, with a projected output of 1,000 liters. Thus, approximately 50% of the EVOO produced by the Viver Cooperative will consist of premium oils— a line of superior quality achieved thanks to the commitment of the farmer-members during the cultivation and harvesting of the olives and to a thorough and rapid production process that transfers the fruit’s full potential to the oil. The other half of the production will consist of the Vivarium harvest EVOO, the last of the season to be produced, with an expected yield of around 77,000 liters. Vivarium is an excellent everyday extra virgin olive oil in which the Serrana variety remains the star, but with a slightly higher percentage of the other varieties than what is found in Vivarium Green.
Fair Prices for Everyone
As for the price of olive oil, the Viver Cooperative’s philosophy is to maintain a balance between producers and consumers, steering clear of speculative trends. Fernando Marco, the cooperative’s director, explains that “the price of olive oil must cover production costs, which are constantly rising, and provide a fair return to our farmer members. Likewise, it must also be a fair price for consumers, especially since it is a staple in our grocery basket. Unjustifiably joining an upward price trend is not sustainable and would only lead to losses in the long term, as consumers would end up opting for other types of more affordable oils and fats.” In this regard, he adds that “sustainability must also be understood as the ability to maintain a project over time in a way that is optimal for the region and its people, and that is only possible if we strike a balance between the needs of producers and consumers.” All in all, this season’s positive results will allow the Viver Cooperative to once again celebrate the traditional New Olive Oil Festival at the end of the season. This free event, open to the general public, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 17. Attendees will be able to purchase the year’s first olive oils and other cooperative products at a special price, as well as enjoy EVOO tastings, a food court, and activities for children.
