THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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August 2026…
Ali Yıldız: We aim to keep a close eye on trends and enter markets we have not yet been able to access
Ali Yıldız, Chair of Marmarabirlik Olive Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union, stated that they have reached 74 countries and they are continuing the efforts to export to Middle Eastern countries in particular as new markets.
“This will involve adapting to the consumption habits of those markets, because whilst the world is growing, packaging is getting smaller. A shopping habit influenced by purchasing power has emerged across all products. We are constantly experimenting with packaging to cater to this trend. 50-gram ‘open-and-finish’ style products are now becoming very popular. This is also changing consumption habits. We aim to closely monitor these trends and, by tailoring our work to each country’s unique consumption habits, enter markets we have not previously been able to access,” Yıldız said.
Explaining that taste preferences vary from country to country, he noted, “Some countries prefer olives with more or less salt and that they adjust their production accordingly. Middle Eastern countries generally demand green olives and olive oil, but we’re also seeing a growing preference for black olives there.”
Highlighting that they currently export to 74 countries, Yıldız said, “Europe is the driving force behind our exports, but recent research shows that Russia, the US and the Scandinavian countries are also coming to the fore. We expect our exports to Middle Eastern countries to increase very soon.”
‘The crop on the olive trees looks promising’
Emphasizing that the flowering on the olive trees this year has been excellent and that, provided weather conditions remain favourable, there will be a good olive harvest, he added, “This year, the olive trees look lovely and the crop appears to be promising. God willing, it will be a bountiful harvest, but we must not be swayed by speculation. Our producers in this country deserve the very best. Together with our producers, our association and the support of our government, we want to make this sector even stronger. We hope this will be a season that brings a smile to our producers’ faces. Abundance means prosperity.”
“All stakeholders in the sector – olive oil mills and olive-related companies – aim to work hand in hand to bring Turkish olives and olive oil to the level they deserve,” he concluded…
