National Drought Mitigation Center
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National Drought Mitigation Center
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Drought and the olive fruit fly reduced the California olive harvest by about one-third
10/29/2014 4:01:15 PM



CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
AFFECTED AREAS:
California
Butte County, CA
Fresno County, CA
Glenn County, CA
Kings County, CA
Marin County, CA
Tehama County, CA
Tulare County, CA
Yolo County, CA

Start Date: 1/1/2014 -  
Drought and the olive fruit fly reduced the California olive harvest by about one-third in 2014. The harvest began about a week earlier than usual. Low humidity in December, related to the drought, allowed temperatures to fall and freeze many of the buds. An olive grower in Marin County imported organic extra virgin olive oil from Italy to be sure to have enough for all of their customers. The grower’s 18,000 Tuscan olive trees were pruned severely last winter to reduce water needs and were expected to have a lighter yield. The ranch’s estate oils can be purchased only online this year, instead of in stores, due to the smaller crop. Some small-scale olive growers in the Seka Hills in the Capay Valley did not produce enough olives to bring them in for milling. San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com), Oct. 24, 2014
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