EMPELTRE
Country: Spain
Purpose: Oil
Synonyms: “Aragonesa”, “Común”, “de Aceite”, “Fina”, “Injerto”, “Llei”, “Macho”, “Mallorquina”, “Navarro”, “Negral”, “Payesa”, “Salseña”, “Terra Alta”, “Vera”, “Verdiel”, “Zaragozana”
Distribution: 2 continent
Americas
A documented South American foothold
In the Americas, Empeltre is mainly reported in South America, with plantings noted in Argentina (particularly in the Mendoza and Córdoba areas).
Here it appears as an introduced cultivar within relatively recent and structured olive-growing settings, where varietal choices are typically aligned with organised production and clear sensory profiles.
In the TGoP perspective, this points to a selective, place-based migration: a targeted move into compatible territories rather than a continent-wide, indiscriminate spread.
Europe
Deep roots in the western Mediterranean
In Europe, Empeltre is a Spanish cultivar closely associated with the north-east, with strong presence in Aragón and the Balearic Islands, as well as parts of the Ebro basin.
Its European distribution is therefore anchored in long-established Mediterranean olive landscapes, where the cultivar is also tied to territory-based value systems (including origin-linked frameworks).
For TGoP, Europe is the cultivar’s reference “source landscape”: a useful lens to show how a variety builds identity and continuity within specific territories before—and more than—any intercontinental movement.
Agronomic and commercial considerations: It is a resistant variety although susceptible to winter freezing. The name “Empeltre” comes from the “Empelt” which, in Catalan, means ” graft”, referring to the best way to propagate this variety. It comes into bearing late. It is considered partially self-compatible. Its productivity is constant and high. It flowers and ripens early. Its fruits have a low removal force, which facilitates mechanised harvesting. It is highly valued not only for its productivity but also for the excellent quality of its oil. It is also used for black pickling, although its main use is for oil extraction. It is considered tolerant to anthracnose of olive (Gleosporium olivarum) and verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), but susceptible to olive leaf spot (Cycloconium oleagina), olive knot (Pseudomonas sevastanoi ) and to olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae).