Abu Khaled al-Zoubi, 67, walks slowly through his orchard in Irbid, northern Jordan, his footsteps kicking up dust from the parched earth beneath centuries-old olive trees. The country is facing its weakest olive oil season in four decades, with production down as much as 70% compared with last year. With an estimated 12 million productive olive trees concentrated in the northern regions of Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash and Mafraq, olive cultivation has been the backbone of rural life for generations. Jordan has long achieved near-total self-sufficiency in olive oil production, covering 98% of domestic needs and generating export revenue. “Olive trees here depend on rain to grow, not chemical fertilisers,” Auran explains.

Source: The Guardian January 02, 2026 15:03 UTC