Table olive exports on track to reach $200 million

 Table Olive Exports Up 49% in Dollar Terms

The olive tree, regarded throughout history as a symbol of peace and abundance and described as an immortal tree, has provided health and prosperity to humanity for thousands of years.

An essential component of breakfasts and a rich source of vitamin E that enriches many dishes from pasta to pizzas, baked goods to salads, Turkey is racing toward USD 200 million in table olive exports.

During the 10-month period of the 2023-24 season, Turkey increased table olive exports by 15%, from USD 152 million to USD 175 million. During the same period, table olive exports declined in volume from 84,749 tonnes to 65,325 tonnes.

While table olive exports fell 23% in volume, the 49.5% increase in average export prices resulted in 15% more foreign currency earnings. The average export price for table olives rose from USD 1.80 to USD 2.69.

Davut Er, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association, stated that they aim to exceed USD 200 million by the end of the season with exports made during the remaining 2-month period to complete the season.

We are targeting 100,000 tonnes of table olive exports in the 2024/25 season

Er shared that Anatolia is the homeland of olives, noting that in the 2023/24 season, 500,000 producers in 43 provinces of Turkey obtained 443,000 tonnes of table olives from over 200 million olive trees. He stated, "Just as we meet the needs of 85 million people in Turkey, we exported 65,325 tonnes to 116 countries. In the 2024/25 season, we are targeting 100,000 tonnes in exports."

Black olive exports reached USD 136.7 million

M. Kadri Gündeş, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association, shared that during the 10-month period of table olive exports starting on 1 October 2023, black olive exports totaled USD 136,735,000, while green olive exports generated USD 39,059,000 in foreign currency.

Providing information about leading countries in table olive exports, Gündeş stated, "Germany leads Turkey's olive exports with USD 43.1 million in demand, comprising USD 35.5 million in black olives and USD 7.6 million in green olives, while Iraq demanded USD 29.3 million worth of Turkish olives, consisting of USD 24.4 million in black olives and USD 4.9 million in green olives. Romania followed these countries with USD 18 million in exports."