16.10.2024 The 2024/2025 Olive and Olive Oil Sector Meeting Was Held at the Aydın Commodity Exchange

At the 2024/2025 Olive and Olive Oil Sector Meeting held by the Aydın Commodity Exchange, the industry's demands and suggestions were discussed.

The meeting, hosted by the Aydın Commodity Exchange, was attended by Chairman Fevzi Çondur, Assembly President A. Bahri Erdel and the Chamber’s board members, Aydın Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Altıntaş, Vice President of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association Davut Er, as well as heads of institutions, chamber and exchange presidents, and industry representatives.

At the Olive and Olive Oil Sector Meeting held in the Aydın Commodity Exchange Conference Hall, discussions took place regarding the issues members face within the sector and their requests.

In his opening speech at the 2024/2025 Olive and Olive Oil Sector Meeting, Aydın Commodity Exchange Chairman Fevzi Çondur highlighted the added value that olive and olive oil production—one of the country’s most significant agricultural activities—brings to the local economy. Citing data from the International Olive Council, he noted that Turkey ranks third in global olive oil production.

Aydın Commodity Exchange Chairman Fevzi Çondur stated, “Nine percent of Turkey's table olive trees are located in our province, supplying 10% of the country's table olive production. In 2023, Turkey produced 490,000 tons of table olives, with approximately 50,103 tons coming from Aydın. Additionally, 15% of Turkey’s olive trees designated for oil production are in our province, and Aydın contributes 12% of the country’s oil olive production.”

Mr. Çondur highlighted that in the 2023-2024 season, Turkey exported a total of 470.965 million dollars in olive oil and 210.091 million dollars in table olives. “In the same season, our province contributed 1.642 million dollars in olive oil exports and 33.4 million dollars in olive exports to the country,” he said.

Providing information on the trade of table olives and olive oil in the Aydın Chamber of Commerce for the 2023-2024 season, Çondur stated, “Approximately 18,326 tons of table olives were traded in our exchange at an average sale price of 53.65 TL. Additionally, 8,836 tons of olive oil were traded last year, with an average sale price of 185.87 TL.”

Fevzi Çondur, Chairman of the Aydın Commodity Exchange, discussed the Chamber’s efforts to promote Aydın’s agricultural values, enhance branding, protect against unfair competition, and gain recognition on both national and international platforms through its geographical indication projects. Mr. Çondur emphasized the benefits of geographical indications to the sector.

Mr. Çondur highlighted that the Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı has been registered in the European Union, and he shared the good news that the Aydın Memecik Zeytini, which is in the application process, will soon also be registered in the EU.

Stating that the Commodity Exchange works diligently to ensure that the sector's problems, suggestions, and demands are addressed in the public sphere, Mr. Çondur also shared his thoughts on the impact of export restrictions on bulk and barrel olive oil on the sector.

Davut Er, Vice President of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, spoke about export figures at the sector meeting. Mr. Er noted that as of September 30, 2024, 17,000 tons of green olives generated 47 million dollars in revenue, with Germany, Iraq, and the USA being the largest export markets. In black olive exports, 60,000 tons reached 162 million dollars, with Germany, Iraq, and Romania as the leading markets. 

Mr. Er added, “In the 2023-2024 season, total exports of table olives reached 78,000 tons, bringing in 210 million dollars in foreign currency.” Regarding olive oil exports for the 2023/2024 season, he mentioned that there was only one month left in the season and that they expected exports to reach around 70,000 tons. Based on current figures, the export revenue has reached approximately 470-480 million dollars.

Mr. Er also noted that export restrictions had led to a decrease of about 25% compared to the previous year. Total exports, which were 920 million dollars last year, have now dropped to around 720 million dollars. He concluded, “As we approach the end of the 2023/2024 export season, our harvest estimates are nearly complete across all provinces. According to the harvest studies conducted by the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and the Ministry of Agriculture, a good harvest is expected.”

During the meeting, which focused on the steps to be taken and the precautions needed to address the issues in the olive and olive oil sector, members assessed the current situation of the olive and olive oil season.

Throughout the meeting, industry representatives decided to act collectively to resolve all the issues that were raised and exchanged ideas on how to carry out the necessary work on these matters.