Temperature is a key climatic factor in determining production and oil quality. Olive is sensitive to low temperatures in terms of frost damage, but requires winter chilling for breaking dormancy of floral buds formed in the previous growing season. As a general rules, the geographical growing area for olive is found where temperatures are not less than -8 , although in some cases mature trees can survive -12 to -18 with adequate winter acclimation. Reproductive structures, buds, inflorescences, and fruit are very sensitive to frost and fruit can be damaged even at -1.7.
The northern margin of olive production (northern hemisphere) is well tested in Spain and Italy where the most cold tolerant cultivars have been developed and where experience has identified frost-prone areas in the topography. Even in such regions, large differences in frost resistance are common between cultivars. For example, studies have shown "Cornicabra" and "Arbequina" to be the most cold resistant of eight Spanish cultivars and "Bouteillan" of 12 French and Italian cultivars evaluated by.