Europe has been struggling with severe drought and heat for weeks. It is stated that the number of people who have lost their lives in the region due to high temperatures since June has reached 12 thousand. Temperatures are also deeply affecting agriculture in Europe. Thus, it is foreseen that production will decrease in Spain, which is the world’s largest olive importer. The situation in Italy is not different from Spain.
In Turkey, which is among the world’s leading olive and olive oil producers, the temperatures are not at the European level. So what is the current situation in olive production in Turkey? Is it possible for us to meet the needs of Europe?
BALANCES DETREN KRZ: RECEIVABLES FROM DEL TRKYE FROM EUROPE
Making evaluations to Haber Global, National Olive and Olive Council Minister Mustafa Tan states that the yield estimation studies prepared by the National Olive Oil Committee will end in October, but a better harvest is expected than last year.
Expressing that they expect a global contraction in olive oil production, Tan states that Turkey does not have such a problem:
“Even if there is a drought, Mula, Aydın and Kaz Mountains will not be affected because there are imbat winds here. mbat winds bring moisture from the sea. This is why this region is the homeland of olives.”
Mustafa Tan states that the climatic events that have existed in the last 10 years and are expected to increase, and the sudden climate change have caused unexpected hail or rain in our country. “Europe feels these negative effects more than we do,” says Tan, emphasizing that Spain accounts for 40 to 45 percent of the world’s olive oil production, but that the severe drought in recent years has affected production in Italy and Spain. Explaining that Spain, which is expected to produce approximately 1 million tons of olives, does not have such a stock, Tan continues:
“Olive oil production is not good in Greece due to economic problems, but the most important effect is global warming. This situation is not good for global olive cultivation and humanity, of course, but it can be an advantage for our country.”
“TRKYE’N IN ADVANTAGED POSITION”
In addition, Tan points out that olives need to be cooled from time to time, and conveys that the 2022 season is good for this island.
Atilla Toto, Minister of the Boutique Olive and Olive Producers Association, states that Europe is the largest olive producer and that Turkey and Tunisia take the second place after Europe. “So Turkey is in a position to be an important actor,” said Atilla Toto, explaining Turkey’s advantageous position as follows:
“We do not feel the summer drought much. Even if there is drought, we can survive with less damage. Because of intensive irrigation in Italy and Spain, the trees are stressed when the soil is dehydrated. The fall in production in Europe may be an opportunity for Turkey, but in Turkey olive oil producers and related parties Officials should be prepared to turn this into an opportunity.”
‘TRKYE MUST TARGET EUROPE’S HRA ETT MARKETS’
Noting that Turkey sells spilled oil to the EU and cannot sell packaged oil due to taxes, Mustafa Tan says that olive oil that goes from Turkey in Italy is packaged in factories. Stating that there was a shortage in the supply of olive oil with the Ukraine-Russia war, Tan underlines that the price gap between olive oil and olive oil has narrowed due to this deficiency.
Experts believe that Turkey should target the markets to which Europe exports olives.
Tan also emphasizes that if production in Italy and Spain decreases, these countries export olive oil and Turkey can enter markets such as the USA.
“THAT MAY BE A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY”
Atilla Toto, who has similar thoughts on this subject, said, “Our target should not be the European market. Because Europe is a large market, it determines the purchase price. We need to focus on the markets where Europe sells olive oil, such as the USA, China, South Korea, Japan, and New Zealand.” ” says.
Finally, Tan said, “Even if we have oil, we can still sell it if the drought continues next year. If there is no rain in September, production in Italy and Spain may decrease in 2023. We have a good crop this year. Despite increasing costs, we face natural balance this year. gld,” he says.
Atilla Toto also underlined that Turkey can obtain quality, flawless and good years, adding that “We will be able to achieve last year’s yield. It may be an opportunity year for us.”