In recent years, incidents of olive theft have become more frequent in the outskirts of Madrid. The problem is particularly acute in municipalities where olive cultivation is one of the main sources of income for locals. In 2023 and 2024, police detained several groups involved in harvesting stolen crops. Over two years, more than 30 tons of stolen olives were seized during operations.
The surge in crime is driven by the sharp increase in olive oil prices. At the beginning of 2024, prices for this product reached record highs and have remained elevated since. This has attracted criminal groups that have set up entire operations to collect and sell stolen olives. As a result, farmers are suffering significant losses, and the region faces the threat of losing trust in the quality of its local produce.
In response, the Community of Madrid government, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, is drafting new regulations. The goal is to ensure transparency in the movement of olives from the field to processing. Now, each producer will be required to keep detailed records of incoming and outgoing olives, as well as maintain a special log documenting all stages of transportation. This approach is expected to make illegal sales harder and help authorities identify offenders more easily.
Compliance with the new regulations will be monitored both continuously and selectively. Administrative and criminal penalties are provided for violations if theft is proven. The region has about 20,000 hectares of olive groves, with an annual harvest ranging from 4 to 6.5 million kilograms. The industry includes 18 oil mills, seven of which operate according to environmental standards.
For the regional head, fighting olive theft is not just an economic issue but also part of her personal political agenda. It is no coincidence that she traditionally launches her election campaigns at one of the local olive processing facilities. The new measures aim not only to protect farmers but also to boost confidence in Madrid’s products and strengthen the region’s position in the olive oil market.
