Criminal gangs are stealing the “liquid gold” to re-sell it at discounted prices, now that a litre regularly goes for as much as €14, Sky News reports.

The price increase — from less than €5 four years ago — has been attributed to a drought in southern Spain impacting olive production.

Some supermarkets are now padlocking bottles of olive oil to the shelves to prevent thefts.

According to security company STC, olive oil is now the most stolen item in supermarkets in Aragon, Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Valencia, Madrid, the Balearic Islands and Extremadura, overtaking alcohol, meats and cheeses.