Olive oil becomes most wanted item for shoplifters in Spain

Olive oil is now the most pilfered item in Spanish supermarkets, as organized crime rings exploit the commodity's scarcity and rising costs due to poor harvests caused by extreme weather.

Security measures such as chaining and tagging bottles have been implemented to combat theft.

With Spain as the top global olive oil producer facing a shortage, the price for high-quality extra virgin olive oil has soared from below €5 to around €14 per litre over four years. The spike in demand and limited supply have also led to thefts in places like Greece.

These crimes, according to security firm STC's Alejandro Alegre, are profit-motivated rather than need-based. Authorities have recently dismantled a network adulterating olive oil, involving arrests and the confiscation of thousands of liters.

Unlike other commonly stolen luxury items such as gourmet ham and cheeses, olive oil is a basic necessity, making its high theft rate particularly notable. Thieves are also targeting olive growers and processors, stealing large quantities of oil.