The Mediterranean diet, known for its use of olives, potatoes, wheat and rice, may become a thing of the past due to climate change and traditional agricultural practices. According to a report by the European Institute for Environmental Policy (IEEP), both productivity and the size of agricultural products are declining in Spain.
Chef Juan Monteagudo at the Ababol restaurant in Albacete has noticed a significant decrease in the quantity and size of olives, cauliflowers and potatoes. This reduction poses financial challenges for restaurants and consumers as prices may increase due to lower production. In fact, the olive harvest in the EU in 2022 was the lowest since 2000, resulting in a loss of 6% of Spain’s agricultural turnover.
The report predicts that global potato production will decrease by 2% to 6% by 2055 without adaptation to environmental changes. Additionally, wheat has shown a 20.6% reduction in yield due to water scarcity. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events and pesticides are weakening ecosystem aspects and affecting harvesting processes. NGO Ecologists in Action advocates for agroecology and restoration measures to preserve biodiversity on farmland.
Specialists are concerned about the potential disappearance of this cultural heritage diet that promotes better health and quality of life for consumers. Urgent action is needed to address these challenges posed by climate change and unsustainable agriculture practices to ensure its preservation.
As climate change continues to impact agriculture around the world, it is important for us all to take action towards more sustainable farming practices that prioritize biodiversity over profit margins.
