Andalusia bans night harvesting in super-intensive olive groves to protect birds

A one-season suspension for intensive groves

Andalusia has prohibited night-time olive harvesting in super-intensive groves during the 2026-2027 season, according to El Español. The one-year suspension applies to over-the-row harvesters operating between sunset and sunrise and has been in force since August 6. The regional government says the measure is intended to reconcile agricultural productivity with the conservation of biodiversity.

Super-intensive olive groves are planted in closely spaced, continuous rows that allow machinery to travel along the crop. Over-the-row machines pass above the plants and remove the olives mechanically. Powerful lighting systems make it possible to continue harvesting after sunset, but birds resting, feeding or sheltering among the trees can be trapped and killed by the machinery.

The restriction directly affects how growers and harvesting contractors schedule mechanized work. Operations previously conducted overnight must move into daylight hours unless a farm qualifies for the research exemption. The source does not provide estimates for additional labor, machinery or operating costs, so the financial impact on producers cannot yet be quantified.

Field research documented 8,127 birds

The decision is based on a project conducted by the Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training together with the regional Environment and Water Agency and the Agricultural and Fisheries Management Agency. Technicians carried out 44 field inspections covering 137 hectares of hedgerow olive groves and recorded 8,127 birds from 66 species.

The findings indicated that these plantations support significant bird populations, with species diversity comparable to that of traditional olive groves. Researchers also found that night harvesting harmed certain species and that the deterrent methods tested did not reduce the impact effectively. However, the study recorded minimal or no impact on three out of every ten hectares examined.

Andalusia is particularly important for migratory birds because of its proximity to Africa and the Strait of Gibraltar. Its agricultural landscapes lie along migration routes, while olive groves provide shelter in areas where few other trees remain. The suspension applies the precautionary principle under European, Spanish and Andalusian rules protecting wild fauna during sensitive periods.

Research exemption and night inspections

Farms participating in technical research, development and innovation projects authorized by Andalusia’s Ministry of Sustainability and Environment are exempt. These projects must be experimental and cannot pursue commercial objectives during the trials. The aim is to identify technology that could eventually allow night harvesting without putting birds at risk.

If future research demonstrates that a method is both safe and effective, the regional government may lift the suspension and require its use. Until then, compliance will be monitored through a dedicated environmental inspection plan. Andalusia intends to conduct at least 80 night inspections during the season, distributed among provinces according to their area of super-intensive olive groves.

For producers, processors and contractors, the immediate issue is operational rather than a change in olive output or trade policy. Harvesting capacity must be concentrated into daylight hours, potentially increasing competition for machines and suitable working windows. The scale of any cost increase will depend on farm-level schedules and whether safe technology emerges from the authorized trials.