Bacteria threatens Spain’s olive industry

World Today

The olive oil market is a four billion dollar industry, but it faces an uncertain future. A bacteria dubbed olive Ebola has attacked olive groves across Italy. And there are fears that it could soon hit Spain, the world’s largest producer. CCTV’s Dan Williams filed this report from Spain.

Bacteria threatens Spain's olive industry

The olive oil market is a four billion dollar industry, but it faces an uncertain future. A bacteria dubbed olive ebola has attacked olive groves across Italy. And there are fears that it could soon hit Spain, the world's largest producer.

More details:

  • Spain is the largest producer of olive oil in the world and it provides the country with two billion euros in exports a year.
  • The damage to the industry in Italy has been substantial with entire plantations wiped out.