Olive oil producers are satisfied with the price
In the Mut district of Mersin, olive producers are satisfied with the prices, while an expected yield of 130,000 tons of olives and 10,000 tons of olive oil is anticipated from 15 million trees covering 300,000 hectares.
Similar to the global trend, there is a decrease in olive and olive oil yields in Turkey this year. Despite the decrease in yield, producers are experiencing a golden year due to the increase in purchase prices for extra virgin olive oil with zero acidity and high quality. In Mut district, known for its high-quality olive oil, the low yield this year has led to an increase in purchase prices. Olive oil prices, which ranged between 80 and 100 lira last year, have tripled this year, fluctuating between 300 and 350 lira.
Muharrem Yılmaz, the President of Mut Chamber of Agriculture, stated, "Due to the low olive and olive oil yields worldwide this year, olive and olive oil prices have tripled. The low olive yield has had an impact on the increase in olive oil prices." Yılmaz emphasized that, despite this being a year with low yields, an estimated 130,000 tons of olives and 10,000 tons of olive oil are expected to be produced in Mut.
Highlighting the export of Mut's olive and olive oil to many countries, Yılmaz said, "Our district has companies that export to France, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, thanks to its climatic advantage and the advantage of quality, natural, and organic production."
Yılmaz continued, "In the district, which is home to a 1,300-year-old registered monumental olive tree, we have 21 olive oil factories and 11 brine facilities. Sales are made both in the domestic and foreign markets. The liter price of olive oil, which was sold for 80 to 100 TL last year in the olive oil factory, now ranges between 300 and 350 TL this year. Prices may rise even further at this rate."
A producer, Mehmet Özkan, expressed, "This year is a poor year for olives. I am selling the olive oil that I sold for 100 lira last year for 350 lira this year. I am very pleased with the price of olive oil this year. We are experiencing a golden year, earning well-deserved returns for our efforts."