Olive oil theft is real. Extreme droughts in Spain and Italy have slashed global production by 40%, sending prices past €15 per liter. Supermarkets now display premium bottles with security tags, and restaurants are swapping to pour spouts to prevent waste. Shoppers are hoarding imported tins like pandemic toilet paper. The solution? Blends. Experts say high-quality blended oils (Greek, Turkish, Tunisian) offer better value and stability. The golden rule: buy smaller bottles more often. And never, ever cook with your finishing oil—that’s now a luxury crime.