Two Italian MEPs from The Left group have asked the European Commission whether it is aware of a deepening crisis in the EU's extra virgin olive oil sector and what measures it plans to take to protect producers' competitiveness. In a written parliamentary question submitted on 9 June 2026, Valentina Palmisano and Mario Furore warn that falling profitability, rising production costs, price volatility, and competition from third-country imports are threatening the economic sustainability of olive growers, particularly in the Calabria and Puglia regions, which have already requested an urgent debate with the Italian government.
whether it has assessed the economic impact on producers' incomes; whether it will adopt extraordinary support measures or crisis management instruments under the common agricultural policy; and what checks are carried out to ensure that imported olive oil meets equivalent environmental, phytosanitary, and social standards. They also ask whether the Commission agrees that the principle of reciprocity in this area should be strengthened.
The question reflects growing concern among EU olive growers that they are losing market share to imports that may not face the same production costs or regulatory requirements. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal whether it considers the situation serious enough to trigger emergency CAP measures or tighter import controls.
Stakeholder impact - EU olive producers: Would benefit from any extraordinary support or stricter import rules, which could improve their income and competitiveness. - Third-country olive oil exporters: Could face higher barriers if the Commission strengthens reciprocity requirements, potentially reducing their access to the EU market. - EU consumers: Might see higher prices if imports are restricted or if support measures keep domestic production afloat without lowering costs. - EU regulatory bodies (Commission, national authorities): Would need to allocate resources for additional checks and possibly design new crisis instruments, increasing administrative burden.
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