# Official Journal C 495/2021

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 495 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 649 December 2021 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 495

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 649 December 2021

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2021/C 495/01 | Euro exchange rates — 8 December 2021 | 1 |
| | NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA |
| | EFTA Surveillance Authority |
| 2021/C 495/02 | Public holidays in 2022: EEA/EFTA States and EEA institutions | 2 |
| 2021/C 495/03 | EFTA Surveillance Authority’s notice on state aid recovery interest rates and reference/discount rates for the EFTA States applicable as from 1 August 2021 (Published in accordance with the rules on reference and discount rates set out in Part VII of ESA’s State Aid Guidelines and Article 10 of ESA’s Decision No 195/04/COL 14 July 2004) | 4 |

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2021/C 495/01

Euro exchange rates — 8 December 2021

1

NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

2021/C 495/02

Public holidays in 2022: EEA/EFTA States and EEA institutions

2

2021/C 495/03

EFTA Surveillance Authority’s notice on state aid recovery interest rates and reference/discount rates for the EFTA States applicable as from 1 August 2021 (Published in accordance with the rules on reference and discount rates set out in Part VII of ESA’s State Aid Guidelines and Article 10 of ESA’s Decision No 195/04/COL 14 July 2004)

4

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Personnel Selection Office |
| 2021/C 495/04 | Notice of open competition | 5 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2021/C 495/05 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10396 – GIP / MERIDIAM / NEW SUEZ) – Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2021/C 495/06 | Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 | 8 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Personnel Selection Office

2021/C 495/04

Notice of open competition

5

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2021/C 495/05

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10396 – GIP / MERIDIAM / NEW SUEZ) – Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

6

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2021/C 495/06

Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

8

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| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance. |

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 9.12.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 495/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 495/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

8 December 2021

(2021/C 495/01)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1299 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 128,57 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4362 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,85603 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,2513 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0432 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 147,40 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 10,0960 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,475 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 368,13 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,5962 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,9488 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 15,4796 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5841 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4281 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,8088 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6659 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5415 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 328,25 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 17,8168 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,1726 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,5250 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 16 205,54 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,7733 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 56,784 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 83,3019 |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,829 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 6,3350 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 23,6365 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 85,2345 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1299

JPY

Japanese yen

128,57

DKK

Danish krone

7,4362

GBP

Pound sterling

0,85603

SEK

Swedish krona

10,2513

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0432

ISK

Iceland króna

147,40

NOK

Norwegian krone

10,0960

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,475

HUF

Hungarian forint

368,13

PLN

Polish zloty

4,5962

RON

Romanian leu

4,9488

TRY

Turkish lira

15,4796

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5841

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4281

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,8088

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6659

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5415

KRW

South Korean won

1 328,25

ZAR

South African rand

17,8168

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,1726

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,5250

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

16 205,54

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,7733

PHP

Philippine peso

56,784

RUB

Russian rouble

83,3019

THB

Thai baht

37,829

BRL

Brazilian real

6,3350

MXN

Mexican peso

23,6365

INR

Indian rupee

85,2345

---

(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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NOTICES CONCERNING THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

EFTA Surveillance Authority

| 9.12.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 495/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 495/2

---

Public holidays in 2022: EEA/EFTA States and EEA institutions

(2021/C 495/02)

| | Iceland | Liechtenstein | Norway | EFTA Surveillance Authority | EFTA Court |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monday 3 January | | | | X | X |
| Thursday 6 January | | X | | | |
| Wednesday 2 February | | X | | | |
| Monday 28 February | | | | | X |
| Tuesday 1 March | | X | | | |
| Thursday 14 April | X | | X | X | X |
| Friday 15 April | X | X | X | X | X |
| Monday 18 April | X | X | X | X | X |
| Thursday 21 April | X | | | | |
| Monday 9 May | | | | | X |
| Monday 17 May | | | X | | |
| Thursday 26 May | X | X | X | X | X |
| Friday 27 May | | | | X | X |
| Monday 6 June | X | X | X | X | X |
| Thursday 16 June | | X | | | |
| Friday 17 June | X | | | | |
| Thursday 23 June | | | | | X |
| Monday 1 August | X | | | | |
| Monday 15 August | | X | | | X |
| Monday 29 August | | | | | X |
| Thursday 8 September | | X | | | |
| Tuesday 1 November | | X | | X | X |
| Wednesday 2 November | | | | | X |
| Thursday 8 December | | X | | | |
| Wednesday 21 December | | | | X | |
| Thursday 22 December | | | | X | |
| Friday 23 December | | | | X | |
| Monday 26 December | X | X | X | X | X |
| Tuesday 27 December | | | | X | X |
| Wednesday 28 December | | | | X | X |
| Thursday 29 December | | | | X | X |
| Friday 30 December | | | | X | X |
| ** | Public holidays falling on Saturdays and Sundays are not listed. |

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

EFTA Surveillance Authority

EFTA Court

Monday 3 January

X

X

Thursday 6 January

X

Wednesday 2 February

X

Monday 28 February

X

Tuesday 1 March

X

Thursday 14 April

X

X

X

X

Friday 15 April

X

X

X

X

X

Monday 18 April

X

X

X

X

X

Thursday 21 April

X

Monday 9 May

X

Monday 17 May

X

Thursday 26 May

X

X

X

X

X

Friday 27 May

X

X

Monday 6 June

X

X

X

X

X

Thursday 16 June

X

Friday 17 June

X

Thursday 23 June

X

Monday 1 August

X

Monday 15 August

X

X

Monday 29 August

X

Thursday 8 September

X

Tuesday 1 November

X

X

X

Wednesday 2 November

X

Thursday 8 December

X

Wednesday 21 December

X

Thursday 22 December

X

Friday 23 December

X

Monday 26 December

X

X

X

X

X

Tuesday 27 December

X

X

Wednesday 28 December

X

X

Thursday 29 December

X

X

Friday 30 December

X

X

**

Public holidays falling on Saturdays and Sundays are not listed.

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| 9.12.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 495/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 495/4

---

EFTA Surveillance Authority’s notice on state aid recovery interest rates and reference/discount rates for the EFTA States applicable as from 1 August 2021

(Published in accordance with the rules on reference and discount rates set out in Part VII of ESA’s State Aid Guidelines and Article 10 of ESA’s Decision No 195/04/COL 14 July 2004 (1))

(2021/C 495/03)

Base rates are calculated in accordance with the Chapter on the method for setting reference and discount rates of ESA’s State Aid Guidelines as amended by ESA’s Decision No 788/08/COL of 17 December 2008. To obtain the applicable reference rates, appropriate margins shall be added to the base rate in accordance with the State Aid Guidelines.

Base rates have been determined as follows:

| | Iceland | Liechtenstein | Norway |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1.8.2021 – | 1,50 | -0,61 | 0,26 |

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

1.8.2021 –

1,50

-0,61

0,26

---

(1)  OJ L 139, 25.5.2006, p. 37 and EEA Supplement to the OJ No. 26/2006, 25 May 2006, p. 1.

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V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Personnel Selection Office

| 9.12.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 495/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 495/5

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NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION

(2021/C 495/04)

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising the following open competition:

EPSO/AD/397/21 - ADMINISTRATORS (AD 6) IN THE FIELD OF MARITIME AFFAIRS AND FISHERIES

The competition notice is published in 24 languages in
  Official Journal of the European Union C 495 A of 9 December 2021.

Further information can be found on the EPSO Internet: https://epso.europa.eu/

---

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 9.12.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 495/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 495/6

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.10396 – GIP / MERIDIAM / NEW SUEZ)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2021/C 495/05)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (‘GIP’, United States), |
| --- | --- |

—

Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (‘GIP’, United States),

| — | Meridiam SAS (‘Meridiam’, France), |
| --- | --- |

—

Meridiam SAS (‘Meridiam’, France),

| — | SUEZ SA (‘Suez’, France). |
| --- | --- |

—

SUEZ SA (‘Suez’, France).

GIP and Meridiam intend to acquire joint control over certain activities of Suez (‘the new SUEZ’ or ‘the target’) in the water and waste sector in France and internationally.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares and assets.

2.

| — | GIP is an independent infrastructure fund manager, headquartered in New York. GIP manages assets that are concentrated in the transport, energy, waste and water sectors. GIP’s customers are mostly pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other investors. |
| --- | --- |

—

GIP is an independent infrastructure fund manager, headquartered in New York. GIP manages assets that are concentrated in the transport, energy, waste and water sectors. GIP’s customers are mostly pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other investors.

| — | Meridiam is a French long-term investor in infrastructure. Meridiam is active in the transport, environment, social infrastructure and energy sectors in Europe, North America, South America and Africa. |
| --- | --- |

—

Meridiam is a French long-term investor in infrastructure. Meridiam is active in the transport, environment, social infrastructure and energy sectors in Europe, North America, South America and Africa.

| — | Suez SA is a company listed in France which is mainly active in the provision of water management, waste water recycling and recovery, urban development and waste management services. The new SUEZ concerns Suez’s activities in the municipal water, non-hazardous waste and urban cleaning sectors in France, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Africa, Asia and Australia. |
| --- | --- |

—

Suez SA is a company listed in France which is mainly active in the provision of water management, waste water recycling and recovery, urban development and waste management services. The new SUEZ concerns Suez’s activities in the municipal water, non-hazardous waste and urban cleaning sectors in France, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Africa, Asia and Australia.

3.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission no later than ten days following the date on which this notification is published. The following reference should always be specified:

M.10396 – GIP / MERIDIAM / NEW SUEZ

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

1

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

2

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 9.12.2021 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 495/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2021

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 495/8

---

Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

(2021/C 495/06)

The European Commission has approved this minor amendment in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

The application for approval of this minor amendment can be consulted in the Commission’s eAmbrosia database.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’

EU No: PDO-ES-0118-AM01 – 10 February 2020

☒ PDO ☐ PGI

1.   Name(s) [of PDO or PGI]

‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Spain

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.5 – Oils and fats (butter, margarine, oil, etc.)

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ is the name given to extra virgin olive oil produced from olives of the Empeltre, Arbequina and Royal varieties that have been grown, processed and packaged in the production, processing and packaging area set out in the product specification.

The olives used must be exclusively of the Empeltre, Arbequina and Royal varieties. The Empeltre variety must account for at least 80 % of the olives used, on account of its predominance in the area of production and the traditional characteristics of the product. The other varieties may account for no more than 20 % of the olives used.

The oils covered by the ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ designation of origin must be of the extra virgin category and have the following characteristics:

Organoleptic characteristics:

| Appearance | Clear, with no hint of film, cloudiness or dirt that would impair the oil’s transparency |
| --- | --- |
| Colour | Yellow, with hues ranging from golden yellow to old gold |
| Taste | Fruity at the beginning of the season, with a slight almondy taste; not bitter, with a hint of sweetness and slightly pungent |
| Minimum assessment required from the tasting panel | Classification as ‘extra virgin olive oil’ |

Appearance

Clear, with no hint of film, cloudiness or dirt that would impair the oil’s transparency

Colour

Yellow, with hues ranging from golden yellow to old gold

Taste

Fruity at the beginning of the season, with a slight almondy taste; not bitter, with a hint of sweetness and slightly pungent

Minimum assessment required from the tasting panel

Classification as ‘extra virgin olive oil’

Physical and chemical characteristics:

| | Maximum acidity (% oleic acid): ≤ 0,80 |
| --- | --- |

Maximum acidity (% oleic acid): ≤ 0,80

| | Maximum peroxide value (mEq O2/kg): 20 |
| --- | --- |

Maximum peroxide value (mEq O2/kg): 20

| | Maximum K270 (nm): 0,15 |
| --- | --- |

Maximum K270 (nm): 0,15

| | Maximum K232 (nm): 2,00 |
| --- | --- |

Maximum K232 (nm): 2,00

| | Maximum moisture content and volatile matter (%): 0,15 |
| --- | --- |

Maximum moisture content and volatile matter (%): 0,15

| | Maximum impurities (%): 0,10 |
| --- | --- |

Maximum impurities (%): 0,10

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

Olives of the Empeltre, Arbequina and Royal varieties grown in the geographical area defined in point 4 are the raw material used to produce ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’.

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

The olives must be grown and the oil produced solely within the geographical area defined in point 4.

The olives to be used for the extraction of oil protected by the designation of origin must be obtained from registered plantations located in the defined geographical area. They must be of the authorised varieties and have been grown following the practices set out in the product specification.

The oil must be extracted in registered mills located within the production area which meet the conditions laid down.

The oil must be extracted within 48 hours of harvesting. The process comprises the following stages:

| — | Washing of the olives |
| --- | --- |

—

Washing of the olives

| — | Milling. Two types of mill may be used: a crusher (traditional method) or a mechanical mill (continuous method). |
| --- | --- |

—

Milling. Two types of mill may be used: a crusher (traditional method) or a mechanical mill (continuous method).

| — | Churning of the paste |
| --- | --- |

—

Churning of the paste

| — | Separation of the phases. Two methods may be used:






  — | The traditional method, by pressing, separation of solids and decanting |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Separation of the phases. Two methods may be used:

—

The traditional method, by pressing, separation of solids and decanting

| — | The continuous method, using centrifuges |
| --- | --- |

—

The continuous method, using centrifuges

| — | Storage |
| --- | --- |

—

Storage

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

Oils covered by this designation of origin must be packaged within the municipalities that make up the production area.

The oils must be packaged in glass, ceramic, polyethylene (PE) or metal containers with a maximum capacity of five litres.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The plants that package the oil, which need to have obtained a certificate of conformity from the inspection body selected by the Regulatory Board, must include the words Denominación de Origen Protegida ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ (‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ protected designation of origin’) on the packaging labels, alongside the numbered label issued by the Regulatory Board, which enables the product to be traced when marketed.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area of the oils covered by the ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ designation of origin is the ‘natural district’ located in the west of the Autonomous Community of Aragon, straddling the provinces of Zaragoza and Teruel.

The geographical area includes the following municipalities: Aguaviva, Alacón, Albalate del Arzobispo, Alborge, Alcañiz, Alcorisa, Alloza, Almochuel, Almonacid de la Cuba, Andorra, Arens de Lledó, Ariño, Azaila, Beceite, Belchite, Belmonte de San José, Berge, Bordón, Calanda, Calaceite, Cañizar del Olivar, Caspe, Castelserás, Castelnou, Castellote, Chiprana, Cinco Olivas, Cretas, Crivillén, Escatrón, Estercuel, Fabara, Fayón, Fórnoles, Foz-Calanda, Fuentes de Ebro, Fuentespalda, Gargallo, Híjar, Jatiel, La Cebollera, La Codoñera, La Fresneda, La Ginebrosa, La Mata de los Olmos, La Portellada, La Puebla de Híjar, La Zaida, Lagata, Letux, Lledó, Los Olmos, Maella, Más de las Matas, Mazaleón, Mequinenza, Molinos, Monroyo, Nonaspe, Oliete, Parras de Castellote, Peñarroya de Tastavins, Quinto de Ebro, Ráfales, Samper de Calanda, Sástago, Seno, Torrecilla de Alcañiz, Torre de Arcas, Torre del Compte, Torrevelilla, Urrea de Gaén, Valdealgorfa, Valdeltormo, Valderrobres, Valjunquera, Vinaceite.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The varieties that may be used to produce ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ are those traditionally grown in the production area. Empeltre and Royal can, on the basis of existing documentary references, be regarded as native varieties, while Arbequina was introduced in the 19th century from nearby Catalonia. The earliest known reference to oil from the area is to be found in ‘Ora maritima’ [Sea coast], which was penned by the fourth-century Latin poet Rufus Festus Avienius and is itself based on a text dating back to 550 BC. ‘Ora maritima’ describes how sailors would travel upstream along the Ebro in order to engage in trade with the people who lived along its banks and, in the process, obtain supplies of oil, wine and wheat. In ‘Ora maritima’, the Ebro is referred to as an Oleum flumen or ‘river of oil’. Ignacio de Asso, who in 1798 wrote the ‘Historia de la Economía Política de Aragón’ [History of the Political Economy of Aragon], frequently referred to olive trees in Bajo Aragón.

‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ began to forge its current reputation towards the end of the 19th century, when a thriving Tortosa, the main market for oil from Lower Aragon, attracted large firms keen to exploit the qualities of the local oil. Soon afterwards, a number of firms sprang up in Alcañiz, their aim being to obtain their oil direct from Lower Aragon, bypassing Tortosa and the fierce competition there altogether. Another major documentary reference, this time to the reputation of ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ in the early 20th century, is a book written in 1918 by Isidro Aguiló y Cortés and entitled ‘Elaboración del Aceite de Oliva’ [Production of Olive Oil]. In the first third of the 20th century, ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ was held in high regard by gastronomes such as Teodoro Bardají and Dionisio Pérez. Over time, it has become common to hear outside the region that ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ is the best olive oil in the world, a view echoed by Daniel Magrané in his book ‘El aceite de oliva en España’ [Olive oil in Spain] (Espaso Calpe, 1961).

The area of production is situated in Lower Aragon, i.e. the south-eastern part of the Ebro basin, an area which essentially coincides with the valleys of the Aguavivas, Martín, Regallo, Guadalope and Matarraña rivers. It is characterised by its dryness, its low and irregular rainfall and its extremes of temperature, caused by the fact that the terrain protects the area from both Mediterranean and Atlantic maritime influences, producing a continental type of climate. Moreover, the cierzo, the prevailing strong north-easterly wind, serves to accentuate the dryness.

The area is flat to slightly undulating, with altitudes ranging from 122 metres in Caspe to 632 metres in Alcorisa. The soil is calcareous, with gypsum and carbonate horizons, this being a characteristic of lacustrine sedimentation in the hot, dry climate of the Miocene epoch.

Average annual rainfall ranges from 327,9 mm in Caspe to 367,9 mm in Alcañiz. The average annual temperature is around 14,3 oC in Alcañiz and 15 oC in Caspe. The average maximum temperature is 19,9 °C in Alcañiz and 20,6 oC in Caspe, and the average minimum 8,8 °C and 9,3 oC respectively. This shows that there is a wide temperature range: more than 18 oC. From March to October, maximum temperatures exceed 25 °C. In the summer months, the average maximum temperature exceeds 35 oC. Another characteristic of the area’s climate is temperature inversion. In winter, when there are anticyclones, the cold air settles in the lower layers and forms prolonged cold fogs with maximum temperatures lower than 6 °C, while in the higher areas, free of fog, maximum temperatures reach over 15 °C.

Appropriate techniques for growing, upkeep of the soil, fertilisation, pruning, and control of pests and diseases supplement an environment which, by virtue of its geographical characteristics, is suited to the cultivation of olive trees.

Reference to publication of the product specification

Product specification for the ‘Aceite del Bajo Aragón’ PDO

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(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.

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