Vallès oil producers warn that drought and pests, mainly of wild boars, have left this year’s production at a minimum, below 10% of what could be obtained.
The group warns that this decline could affect the consolidation of a regular clientele for the future.
To combat this, on January 27 they will exhibit their products at the Fira de l’Oli del Vallès, which will have about 40 stalls not only of what is known as “liquid gold”, but also of other local brands, such as the bread that is produced in the Vallesan municipalities.
At the same time, they are working to obtain the Oli del Vallès Designation of Protected Origin (DOP), which would bring together the some varieties that are made in the region, including Vera oil.
“This year’s production volume is regrettable.” This is how forceful the vice president of the Vallès Oil Producers Association, Marc González, has been in the presentation of the events of the Vallès Oil Fair, pointing out that not even 10% has been produced. of the total capacity of the 17 Vallesan producers.
This situation is mainly due to the lack of rain, but also due to the impact of pests, mainly wild boars, which damage crops. “We need measures, and the Hunting Law is not updated in Catalonia, it comes from a Franco law,” he added.
This lack of product can have an impact in the short and medium term, initially because they cannot respond to the demand that the oil they produce may have, mainly of the Vera variety. “It will have an impact next year, we have a very loyal customer who expects our oil and buys it out of tradition. We may find that a year without oil causes us to lose customers or breaks this continuity,” he warned.
The mayor of Tagamanent and regional councilor for Productos de la Tierra, Ignasi Martínez, spoke along the same lines: “The sector is in danger of extinction,” he highlighted, pointing out the low production this year.
“There is an interesting recovery in activity, but the climatic situation affects them fully,” Martínez highlighted.
Vallès oil has benefited slightly from the increase in prices that affect oils that can be purchased in stores and large stores. “
The increase in the price of supermarket oil has meant that people do not find the price they can find on a quality oil bought from the producer so high, this has favored us, so that ideologically at the consumer level it is not so scary,” González highlights.
At the same time, the group is working to obtain its own Denomination of Origin, the ‘Oli del Vallès, which would initially bring together the 17 producers of Vallès Oriental, where the Vera variety is mainly created, but opening the door to the Vallès producers. Western, where there are olive trees in municipalities such as Castellar or Sentmenat. It is a long-distance race that must pass through Brussels, so there is a long process.
Despite the delicate situation of this campaign, the collective will be the protagonist of the Vallès Oil Fair, which will be held on Saturday January 27 in Bigues y Riells del Fai (Vallès Oriental).
“We will have an exhibition with 40 stops where there will be a sample of the oils and also the producers of bread made with flour from the territory,” highlights the mayor of the municipality, Joan Galiano.
The event is seen as an opportunity for the region and the sector, as well as to rethink where crops are centralized: “It is also an opportunity for future generations and a way out for the territory.”
The event is designed as a tool to expand knowledge of the varieties of oil produced in the region, and will feature tastings of different varieties of oil, cooking samples by the Gremi d’Hostaleria del Vallès Orientall and games, among other activities.
