Turkey’s Olive Oil Exports Fall by Half
Turkey’s olive oil exports have dropped by 52 percent in the last two months compared to the same period last year, as producers are holding onto stocks in anticipation of rising prices due to poor harvests in Italy and Spain. Despite concerns about losing market share to competitors, Turkish producers are exporting their products at low prices to maintain their presence in foreign markets.
Turkey’s olive oil exports have declined by 52 percent in the past two months when compared to the same period last year.
Exports are down because the country’s olive oil producers are holding on to their stocks with expectations that prices will rise following the poor harvests in Italy and Spain due to bad weather and pest infestations, and hopes they will be able to cash in on high international demand for olive oil.
See Also:Complete Coverage of the 2014 Olive Harvest
According to figures released by the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association (EZZİB), Turkey exported 3,600 tons of olive oil in the last two months, compared to 7,600 tons during the same period last year, a decline of 52 percent.
While Turkey’s olive oil producers wait for prices to rise, they do not want to lose their foreign markets. “Our producers are now exporting their products for almost nothing just not to lose their market share to their strong Spanish and Italian competitors,” reported Gürkan Renklidağ, the head of EZZİB, to Hürriyet, one of Turkey’s major newspapers.
During the 2013/14 crop year, Turkey was the fourth-largest olive oil producer, with a 16.7 global share of production. The government hoped to boost Turkey’s ranking by introducing incentives in the form of subsidies and tax breaks. For the current 2014/15 crop year, estimates by the International Olive Council (IOC) put Turkey’s output at 190,000 tons, the same as the previous year.
Related Articles
May. 22, 2025
European Producers Face Limited Alternatives to U.S. Market
Asia’s most populous and prosperous countries imported less than one-third of the olive oil by value that Spain, Italy and Greece exported to the U.S. in 2023.
Nov. 17, 2025
The Opportunities and Challenges of Colombia’s Olive Oil Market
Olive oil consumption in Colombia has nearly doubled in five years. Yet importers say consumer education and high logistics costs limit the market’s potential.
Apr. 23, 2025
Spain Moves to Mitigate Impacts of New U.S. Tariffs
Spain's Minister of Agriculture reassured agri-food producers about potential impact of US tariffs, emphasizing EU collaboration and market diversification.
Apr. 21, 2025
Trump's Tariffs Threaten Greek Olive Oil, Table Olives
Tariffs on imported food from the E.U. jeopardize the Greek staples' positions in the American market, but negotiations are ongoing.
Nov. 26, 2025
Global Olive Oil Production Hits Record 3.5 Million Tons
A new report forecasts global olive oil production at a record 3.507 million tons for 2024/25, driven by strong recovery in Spain and rising output in non-EU countries.
Sep. 2, 2025
Peru’s Olive Oil Sector Eyes Record Rebound in Despite Pest and Trade Challenges
While exporters see opportunities in global markets, structural weaknesses in Peru’s value chain and low farm-gate prices continue to challenge thousands of olive and table olive farmers.
Aug. 21, 2025
Turkey Approves Coal Mining in Olive Groves
The new law, which allows mining operations to take place in olive groves, will make the country's olive sector compete for land with the energy sector.
Mar. 28, 2025
Brazil Removes Tariffs on European Olive Oil Imports
Brazilian officials decided to lower tariffs from nine percent to mitigate the impact of rising prices in South America’s largest country.