Newsflash from Saturday, 15 November 2025: Olive growers in Eastern Crete face a catastrophic season, with production down by as much as 80%. Experts blame drought, heat, and poor water management — and warn that without urgent action, Crete’s olive oil industry may never recover.

The 2025 olive harvest season in Eastern Crete has taken a devastating turn, as producers report one of the lowest yields in decades. According to local farmers and cooperatives, olive oil production across the region has dropped dramatically — by 50% to as much as 80% in some northern areas — due to prolonged drought and extreme heat.

In areas like Heraklion’s northern coastline, families that last year produced over 20 tons of olive oil now expect barely 1.5 tons. “It’s a desperate situation,” shared one local producer, emphasizing that the lack of rainfall has left olive trees “completely dry.” Even in typically fertile zones like Embaros, where irrigation efforts were made, the harvest is expected to fall far below normal levels.

Adding to the crisis, olive fly infestations have further damaged the already limited crop. While some cooperatives managed to keep pest damage around 15%, the overall impact remains severe. Labor shortages and skyrocketing wages have compounded the problem, with daily rates for farm workers reaching €60 or more — a cost that many small producers can barely absorb.

Industry experts warn that the price of olive oil, which had stabilized around €5 per liter, may rise further as supply tightens. However, producers fear that even high prices won’t offset their losses. “At this rate, the farmer’s profit goes straight to labor costs,” one cooperative leader lamented.

Regional officials are calling for urgent government intervention. Príamos Ieronymákis, the Regional Councilor for Rural Affairs, has urged the Ministry of Agriculture to send a task force to Crete and fund a comprehensive water management plan. He argues that the island’s recurring droughts could be mitigated with better infrastructure and scientific planning — not just temporary fixes.

“Every year we lose over €1 billion in agricultural production due to water scarcity,” Ieronymákis said. “With a €2 billion investment, we could solve Crete’s drought problem once and for all.”

As the island braces for another dry winter, the message from Crete’s olive growers is clear: without strategic water management and immediate support, the backbone of the island’s agricultural economy — its olive oil — faces an uncertain future.

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