Tenerife's Olive Sector Sees Surge in Production and Cultivation

Tenerife's agricultural future is increasingly focused on olive groves, olives, and olive oil. While production is still small, it has surged by 42.6% between 2020 and 2024, following earlier ups and downs. The land dedicated to olive cultivation is also expanding, reaching 112.7 hectares last year, with Arona, Güímar, and Granadilla de Abona leading the way. Notably, Tenerife produces Europe's earliest extra virgin olive oil, thanks to its early olive harvest.

The olive sector now involves fourteen oil mills, two of which produce certified organic extra virgin olive oil. The Cabildo of Tenerife, through its agricultural services, is also experimenting with different olive tree varieties on its own farms in Araya and La Valiera. In 2024, the island produced 38,000 kilograms of olives, with an average yield of 14%. Projections for 2025 suggest this could rise to around 45,000 kilos.

Common olive varieties grown in Tenerife include Arbequina, Picual, Arbosana, Koroneiki, and Hojiblanca. The resulting oils are often blends or single-varietal, with Arbequina being the most common. However, oils made from Hojiblanca and Frantoio (an Italian variety) are starting to appear. Most olive farmers work part-time on small plots, typically with 200 to 300 trees, though larger estates like Cumbres de Abona in Arico are also significant.

From 2020 to 2024, Tenerife's olive cultivation has seen steady growth. The cultivated area increased from 79 hectares in 2020 to 112.7 hectares in 2024, a 42.6% rise in just four years. This expansion was particularly strong between 2020 and 2021, when the productive area grew from 75.3 to 108.1 hectares, and has remained largely stable since.

The number of individual, scattered olive trees has stayed constant at around 2,500, indicating that the growth is coming from organized plantations rather than isolated trees. All cultivated land is dedicated to olives for oil production, with no olives grown for eating.

The main olive-growing areas are Arico, Güímar, Granadilla de Abona, Guía de Isora, and Adeje, which have maintained their size since 2021. The most significant expansion occurred between 2020 and 2021, with Arico and Güímar seeing notable increases in their olive grove areas.

The Sociedad Cooperativa Cumbres de Abona, established in 1989, emerged as the wine sector in southern Tenerife began to decline. It was one of the region's first wineries and a pioneer on the island. Located in Arico, the cooperative boasts modern facilities for producing both wine and oil.

With 720 member winegrowers across the Abona Designation of Origin region, the cooperative has diversified its activities. Since 2010, with support from public and private entities, it has been producing extra virgin olive oil under the Oleoteide brand. This project is thriving, demonstrating that olive cultivation is well-suited to Tenerife's climate and terrain, offering a viable alternative to other crops and helping to prevent rural depopulation.

Cumbres de Abona also operates an olive tree sales point that serves the entire island and even supplies other Canary Islands. The sector is growing rapidly, and the cooperative anticipates significant production increases in the next five years as current plantations mature.

The cooperative owns Tenerife's first oil mill, capable of processing 450 kg of olives per hour and storing 14,000 liters of oil, making it the largest facility of its kind in the archipelago. It manages over 50 hectares of olive groves, both its own and those of its members across the Canary Islands, primarily for extra virgin olive oil production.

The oil mill processes olives from the cooperative, its members, and other Tenerife growers. Under the 'maquila' system, growers receive 75% of the oil volume if they supply over 500 kilograms; otherwise, they pay a milling fee and receive all their oil.

Cumbres de Abona's production figures show considerable fluctuation over the past decade, ranging from 68,387 kilograms in 2015 to a record 248,265 kilograms in 2023. Other significant harvests include 171,580 kilos in 2021 and 84,800 kilos in 2018. Last year, 2024, was particularly poor, yielding only 13,770 kilos. However, the current year shows a strong recovery, with 110,000 kilos harvested by October.

Tenerife has approximately 110 hectares of olive groves, producing artisanal oils with unique characteristics from both the south (Vilaflor, Arico) and the north (La Orotava). Oleoteide, launched by Cumbres de Abona in 2000, blends traditional methods with modern technology. Its oils, made from Arbequina, Arbosana, Koroneiki, and Picual olives, are praised for their freshness and balance and have won numerous awards.

Despite recent growth, drought and high temperatures caused significant olive losses last year, with some areas losing up to 90%. An olive tree's yield depends on its age, variety, and care, with young trees producing 15-30 kilos and century-old trees yielding over 50 kilos annually.

Initially, the Arbequina variety was the primary choice in Tenerife, adapting well to mid-altitude areas and the island's mild winters. Now, other varieties like Arbosana, Koroneiki, Picual, and Hojiblanca are being cultivated. Arbosana and Koroneiki have shown excellent adaptation, while Picual and Hojiblanca are also valued for their dual use in oil and table olives.

The most consistent olive production in Tenerife comes from mid-altitude zones, between 300 and 650 meters above sea level, although olive trees can thrive at various altitudes.

Olive trees, olives, and oil represent a promising future for Tenerife's countryside, bringing wealth, employment, and the much-needed generational renewal. However, persistent drought, which has lasted for seven years, remains a significant challenge.