Lisbon, July 24, 2025 (Lusa) - Olive oil production rose to 180,000 tonnes in 2024, the second highest ever, and almond production reached a record 91,000 tonnes, consolidating Portugal as the second largest producer in the EU, the INE announced on Thursday.

On the other hand, according to the “Agricultural Statistics 2024” from Statistics Portugal (INE), “strong pressure from diseases and adverse weather conditions” hampered the grape harvest, which registered a production decrease of 8.1%.

According to the statistical institute, the second highest olive oil production in the statistical series recorded last year reflected "the maturity of the intensive olive groves in the Alentejo".

New orchards in the Alentejo boosted almond production, reaching the highest value in the series and positioning Portugal as the second-largest producer in the European Union (EU), behind Spain.

In the forestry sector, the number of rural fires (6,293, 16.8% fewer than in 2023) was the lowest in the last 20 years.

On the other hand, the area burned (137,700 hectares on the mainland and 5,200 hectares in the Autonomous Region of Madeira) makes 2024 “the third most severe year of the last decade” (2015-2024).

In mainland Portugal, in 2024, the hunting area covered over 6,995,000 hectares in 5,351 hunting zones, with 52 additional areas covering 27,200 hectares more than in 2023.

Authorities issued 108,196 hunting licences for the 2024/2025 hunting season (108,265 in 2023/2024), a 0.1% decrease, generating revenue of €6 million, 4.1% more than in 2023/2024.

PD/ADB // ADB.

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