The economic performance of the Cordovan countryside last year was influenced by lower cereal harvests and a significant adjustment in olive oil prices. According to data from the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, agriculture, which accounts for nearly three-quarters of the total value, saw an 11.5% decline, totaling 1.54 billion euros.
Olive oil, a cornerstone of the primary economy in Córdoba, recorded a value of 590 million euros, marking a year-on-year drop of nearly 9%. Although the harvest was larger than the previous season, the average price per kilo of extra virgin olive oil fell to less than half, dropping from 9.3 euros to 4.4 euros. Meanwhile, cereals saw a 26% decrease in monetary value, reaching 68.47 million euros.
In contrast, livestock production showed a positive trend with a 6.7% increase, reaching 539 million euros. This sector benefited from greater pasture availability due to recorded rainfall, which helped reduce animal feed costs. Additionally, vegetables stood out with a valuation increase of over 80%, driven by crops such as garlic and onions.
Sector profitability was impacted by rising production costs, particularly in energy and phytosanitary products, which rose by nearly 5%. This pressure on expenses, combined with the drop in production, caused the provincial agricultural income to fall by nearly 12%, reaching 1.518 billion euros at the end of the fiscal year.
