To objectively evaluate the impact of the extreme heat and drought in 2022 on Camellia oleifera production, in this study we conducted a statistical analysis of high-temperature and drought conditions across 15 major Camellia oleifera-producing provinces in China and investigated the extent of damage to Camellia oleifera production. The results indicate that the prolonged drought in 2022 led to low yield of fresh fruits, desiccation and death of flower buds, reducing the fruit set rates in the following year. The persistent high temperatures resulted in lower oil content in fruits. Moreover, the combination of persistent drought and high temperatures significantly increased the mortality rate of young plantations and caused severe damage to mature forests. A comprehensive comparative analysis of three representative annual patterns across major Camellia oleifera-producing provinces reveals that, in 2022, the oil content in fruits was reduced significantly when there was the longest duration of consecutive days with a daily maximum temperature above 35°C (CDTm35)≥9d and the cumulative days with a daily maximum temperature above 39°C (DTm39)≥3d during the oil accumulation period. The bud mortality increased significantly when the longest duration of consecutive days without effective rainfall (CDnr)≥46d appeared during the bud maturity period. The abnormal drop of fruits and significant decline in fresh fruit were observed when CDTm35≥18d and CDnr≥31d, and the mortality rate of newly planted and young forests increased significantly when CDTm35≥15d and CDnr≥31d.