The Impact of Climate Change on Olive Crop Production in Halkidiki, Greece

Abstract

One of the main crops cultivated in Greece is the olive tree. In recent years, olives around the Mediterranean Basin and especially in Greece have been facing increasingly high temperatures and are more often exposed to water deficits, inducing severe abiotic stress, thus affecting plant physiology and productivity. Future projections point to a general increase in temperature of up to 2 °C. Precipitation is projected to decrease in northwestern Halkidiki, leading to enhanced water needs and resulting in a possible decrease in yield. The increase in temperature, especially in the winter season, seems to impact flowering buds. The small number of days with low temperatures resulting in reduced flowering during spring will decrease the quantity and quality of olives and oil.

Keywords

• olive tree
• Halkidiki
• Greece
• future projections
• climate change