Turkey
Sep. 1, 2021
Turkey Lifts Ban on Bulk Olive Oil Exports Ahead of Schedule
The government said it implemented the ban to prevent price speculation and protect small producers. However, many producers largely opposed the prohibition.
Aug. 23, 2021
Thousands of Hectares of Olive Trees Burned to Ashes Across Southern Turkey
Producers worry that the country’s worst wildfires in recent memory are a symptom of climate change, and that the government is not adequately preparing for future fires.
Aug. 20, 2021
Wildfires Devastate Agricultural Land in Turkey
Large areas in the south and southwest of the country have been reduced to ashes after dozens of wildfires erupted in the country.
Aug. 16, 2021
Meet the Producer Behind Turkey's Most-Awarded Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Bahar Alan started producing olive oil as a hobby but has since dedicated herself to cultivating local varieties to produce high-quality organic olive oil.
Aug. 2, 2021
Turkey Announces Plan to Advance Sustainable Agriculture
The new plan aims to promote organic farming, technological innovation, recycling and renewable energies just weeks after the E.U. made a similar commitment.
Jul. 30, 2021
Just when Olive Oil Tourism Was Trending in Turkey, the Pandemic Hit
The Covid-19 pandemic has decimated Turkey’s fledgling olive oil tourism industry. However, producers believe agritourism is the future of the sector.
Jul. 29, 2021 Africa / Middle East
Mavras Olive Oil Company Relies on Tradition, Terroir to Produce Quality EVOO
Jul. 12, 2021 Africa / Middle East
Jun. 15, 2021 Africa / Middle East
Apr. 22, 2021 Africa / Middle East
Mar. 25, 2021 News Briefs
Kırkpınar Governor Calls on Former Champion to Quit Reality Show
Dec. 14, 2020
Pandemic and Weather Extremes Compound an Off-Year in Turkey
Bad springtime weather and logistic challenges have made what was expected to be a tough year even worse.
Oct. 8, 2020
With Wrestling Match Canceled, Kırkpınar Sponsor Invests in Local Education
Seyfettin Selim has invested in a state-of-the-art nursery school and daycare in Edirne. He plans to have the school ready to open in time for the 659th edition of Kırkpınar.
Aug. 24, 2020
Kırkpınar Governor Calls for Cancellation of This Year’s Event
The Covid-19 pandemic originally delayed the 659th edition of the world's oldest sporting event from the first week of July to September. Now the main sponsor and ceremonial head of the event says he no longer supports the tournament taking place.
Jul. 9, 2020
World's Oldest Sporting Event Delayed Due to Covid Concerns
The centuries-old Kırkpınar olive oil wrestling championship will reportedly not go ahead until the end of summer or autumn. The decision was made by the event organizers after consulting with Turkey’s Ministry of Health.
May. 26, 2020
Record Year for Turkish Olive Oils at World Competition
With 18 Golds and 10 Silvers, Turkish producers walked away with more awards at the world's most prestigious olive oil quality competition this year than ever before.
Jan. 10, 2020
New Study Suggests Olive Leaf Extract Could Help Treat Type 2 Diabetes
A recent study from Turkey appears to confirm earlier reports that olive leaf extract could be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Sep. 23, 2019
Turkey Expecting Near-Record Olive Oil Production
As the harvest is about to get underway, producers estimate total production will be between 200,000 and 250,000 tons. However, not all producers faired equally with the south having a better year than the north.
Jul. 10, 2017
Wildfire Destroys Grove in Turkey
In an ironic twist of fate, Turkey's olive trees had just been saved from proposed changes to the country's “olive law” when they went up in flames.
Jun. 15, 2017
Turkey Removes Controversial Article in 'Olive Law'
While the decision was welcomed, olive oil industry leaders fear the issue will crop up again.
Jun. 9, 2017
Turkey's Prime Minister Fuels 'Olive Law' Debate
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim appeared to support the proposed changes to the law that protects small groves in comments he made at a meeting on June 3rd.
Jun. 6, 2017
Turkish Government Backtracks Proposed Changes to 'Olive Law'
The draft proposal which the government claimed was to support the development of industry and production was highly criticized by the olive oil industry and opposition parties and as it threatened the country’s olive oil production.
May. 30, 2017
Turkey's Olive Trees Threatened by Draft Law
If the new law gets the green light, any olive grove housing less than 15 trees per decare (2.5 acres) will not be classed as an olive grove and be put at risk for redevelopment.
May. 22, 2017
Turkey Holds First 'Mario Solinas' National Olive Oil Competition
A new competition in Turkey aims to raise the bar for local producers and improve collaboration within the olive sector.
Apr. 3, 2017
Archaeologists Find Ancient Olive Press
Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered a 2,000-year-old olive oil press at the site of an ancient town run by women and dedicated to olive-oil production.
Sep. 7, 2016
Turkey's Recurrent Olive Oil Crisis
With fluctuating yields and prices, Turkey's inefficient olive oil industry is rarely able to compete with European producers in foreign markets.
