It’s easier to get a boyfriend than olive oil this Holy Week
Gone are the days when customer complaints during Holy Week were limited to the value of fresh fish and cod as substitutes for other meats not consumed during this period due to religious tradition. The most devout face another ordeal this year. Today, it is simpler to catch a Valentine than to purchase quality olive oil at a fair price.
This “liquid gold” almost always drizzles over traditional salted fish, or the most consumed fresh brands such as: Namorado, Linguado, Pintado, Tilápia, Dourado… among the most consumed by Brazilians.
Olive oil in Brazil is largely imported, mainly from Europe. The climate changes that have disrupted the climate are causing one of the most severe droughts on the Old Continent for the second year in a row, directly affecting the harvest. Olive trees do not tolerate lack of water and high temperatures well. Instead of the predicted 3.3 million tons, only 2.7 million were produced, according to the International Olive Oil Council.
The Brazilian Institute of Olive Culture (IBRAOLIVA), which brings together agents from the olive production chain, records that some brands saw an increase of 92% in one year.
Holy Week in Dry
In addition to this year’s average price increase of 50%, many of the most affordable and well-known brands have disappeared from supermarket shelves. The impact is even felt by importers. With the lack of shipments from abroad, what is produced in Brazil is also becoming scarce and its prices are inflated.
“The value of national olive oil also rises because many consumers choose to leave imported olive oil aside in favor of national olive oil, which increases the demand for production in the country and, consequently, the price”, says Alexandre Gaino, professor of economics at ESPM .
During Holy Week, olive oil prices are historically higher and, with this year’s seasonal impact, many are abandoning the tradition of drizzling the product over their food.
“The price increase also affects our Easter lunch, often forcing us to look for other types of oil”, adds Gaino.
Those who do not give up the tradition of Portuguese olive oil may have to spend even more, as it was the country that recorded the biggest increase, reaching 69%, while in the rest of the European Union the increase was around 50%. Spain, the largest producer and exporter, responsible for 60% of world consumption, is one of the regions most affected by meteorological changes.
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