The Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes, participated today, November 3, in the symbolic start of the 2020-2021 olive campaign, with a visit to Herdade da Figueirinha and Lagar do Marmelo, in Beja and Ferreira do Alentejo, respectively.

In this visit to the two olive groves and oil mills, the head of the Agriculture portfolio highlighted the importance of olive oil production, highlighting that, last year alone, production reached a record high of more than 140,000 tons. Regarding exports, historical values ​​are also being reached, and this year it is expected to exceed 600 million euros.

“Portuguese olive oil is a product of the highest quality and proof of this are the innumerable international awards awarded to Portuguese extra virgin olive oils. It is on this path of excellence and innovation that we want to continue, with public policies that support national production, environmental sustainability and research at the service of the agri-food sector. Therefore, we want to strengthen research to have an even more sustainable production, which promotes the most efficient use of finite resources, such as water and soils, preserving biodiversity and ecosystems ”.

Maria do Céu Antunes highlighted the importance of efficient irrigation, that is, collective infrastructures, as a fundamental tool to combat climate change, increasing the resilience and competitiveness of the territories and gave the example of Alqueva, which has proven to be a determining factor and structuring for the region and the country.