Olive oil prices have skyrocketed due to drought in Spain, creating an opportunity for criminals to engage in various forms of olive theft across Greece, Spain, and Italy. Olive grove owners are facing losses as thieves break into warehouses, dilute premium oil with inferior products, and falsify shipping data. The most severe cases involve gangs using chainsaws to steal branches and even entire trees from unguarded groves. These crimes result in fewer olives for growers already grappling with high production costs and climate changes. Farmers are calling for increased police support and are resorting to harvesting early to avoid long-term damage to their trees.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-11-08/olive-oil-price-soars-thieves-target-old-trees