Olive oil: harvest starts earlier

October 23, 2024 at 9:42 AM , Der AUDITOR
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IZMIR. Higher prices pushed the export value of Turkish table olives to a new record in the 2023/2024 season. Due to the good prospects for the 2024 crop, market players set even bigger targets for the new season.

Record revenues for olive exports

Turkey has been investing in the cultivation of table olives for around 25 years and is now finally reaping the proverbial rewards of its hard work. With a value of USD 210 million, exports of table olives from Turkey have risen above the USD 200 million mark for the first time, compared to USD 184 million in the previous year. According to Davut Er, Chairman of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, exports of black olives accounted for USD 162.5 million and exports of green olives for the remaining USD 47.5 million. Around 97% of the olives are already packaged for export. Compared to the previous year, the average export price rose from USD 1.84/kg to USD 2.70/kg, an increase of 46.7%. As with other foodstuffs, it should therefore be noted that the higher export value was not due to higher volumes, but to higher prices. Meanwhile, the export volume declined from 100,000 mt to 78,000 mt in the 2023/2024 season (-22%).

Turkey has exported its olives to around 121 different countries. The most important sales markets are Europe (USD 107.5 million), the Middle East (USD 48.5 million) and the American continent (USD 17.5 million). Germany (USD 50.5 million) and Iraq (USD 35.8 million) are by far the most important buyer countries, but the USA (USD 14.7 million) also imports significant quantities of black and green olives from Turkey.

Early harvest start in the Aegean region

Farmers in Turkey's Aegean region were able to start harvesting olives earlier than usual this year and the outlook is positive. The trees are in good condition and the quality of the fruit is also impressive. Last year, 1.52 million mt of olives were harvested in Turkey and 422,000 mt of olive oil were produced. However, due to restrictions on the export of Turkish olive oil, which were lifted in September 2024, exports only totalled 182,000 mt.

The good prospects for this year's crop also make experts optimistic for the 2024/2025 season, with the aim of exporting at least 100,000 mt of table olives in the coming months and generating sales of USD 250 million. 

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