{
  "id": 117652,
  "title": "Price of olive oil expected to rise again as European crops feel the heat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/price-of-olive-oil-expected-to-rise-again-as-european-crops-feel-the",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-04T04:00:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/04/price-olive-oil-expected-rise-again-european-crops-heat-drought-wildfires"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "European farmers are warning that a combination of high temperatures, drought, and wildfires will lead to a decline in food production and rising prices. Olive groves, in particular, have been affected by the climate crisis driving temperatures to record highs across the continent. The vegetable growers association Légumes de France has reported losses worth tens of millions of euros, with production on some crops expected to be halved due to the lack of rain. The scorching French weather has also delayed grape growth in wine regions, threatening a smaller harvest and one of the earliest on record. In Spain, the ministry of agriculture predicts a significant drop in the 2026-27 cereal crop from 24 million tonnes to just over 18.5 million tonnes. The European Union has lowered harvest predictions for various crops, including sunflowers, maize, potatoes, and soya beans. Despite some countries experiencing less damage, the main concern remains higher production costs due to the extreme heat, drought, and wildfires. Olive oil producers expect another surge in prices this year, as the situation in groves has worsened with fires, blowing ash, and poor air quality. The price of a one-litre bottle of extra virgin olive oil in UK stores has already reached above £7 on average and is beginning to rise again. Experts predict that the European olive oil market will be closely monitored for production volume and price impact due to the combination of drought-induced fruit loss and an earlier harvest.",
  "summary": "Farmers warn impact of high temperatures, drought and wildfires on range of foodstuffs means costs will increase Farmers across Europe are warning of a slump in food production and rising prices as crops from maize to salads suffer as a result of extreme heat, drought and wildfires. Olive groves have also been hit as the climate crisis drives temperatures across the continent to fresh record…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}