The Mediterranean diet is known for its delicious and nutritious dishes such as potato omelette, country salad, and bread with tomato. However, a decrease in the production of olives, potatoes, wheat, and rice due to climate change and traditional agricultural practices could put an end to these beloved foods.
According to the European Institute for Environmental Policy (IEEP), these crops have seen a decline in productivity and size, affecting the Mediterranean diet. Chef Juan Monteagudo from Ababol restaurant in Albacete explains that smaller harvest quantities of olives and potatoes lead to higher costs for businesses. The EU olive harvest in 2022 was the lowest since 2000, causing a loss of 6% of Spanish agricultural turnover.
Projections show that global potato yields will decrease by 2055 without adaptation to environmental changes. Wheat has already reduced its yield by 20.6% due to water scarcity. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and excessive use of pesticides weaken the ecosystem and affect crop yields and harvest times. Agroecology and regulations are proposed to address these challenges and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Specialists are not only concerned about losing cultural traditions but also about the health benefits provided by these traditional foods in the Mediterranean diet. These foods are recommended for better health and quality of life for consumers. Urgent measures are needed to restore biodiversity and protect agricultural lands to preserve these essential crops that contribute so much to our culture, economy, and health.
In conclusion, it is crucial that we take action now to address the challenges facing our food system caused by climate change and traditional agricultural practices. We must promote sustainable agriculture practices through agroecology and regulations while preserving biodiversity and protecting agricultural lands so that future generations can enjoy classic Mediterranean dishes like potato omelette, country salad, or bread with tomato just as we do today.
