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Press release…
The Capital of Olive, Akhisar, left its mark on WorldFood!
Akhisar, the district of Türkiye’s western province of Manisa, was once again the favourite of the 28th International Food Products and Technologies Fair-WorldFood. Visitors, who showed great interest in the stand opened in cooperation with Akhisar Commodity Exchange and Akhisar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, asked what they were curious about Akhisar’s quality olives and olive oil.
Akhisar Commodity Exchange Chairman Alper Alhat said, “We have been lobbying for premium support for olives and VAT reduction in olive oil for 9 years. Our farmer produces the world’s best quality olive and olive oil. Goverment support is essential for sustainable production. Within the scope of these studies, we received agricultural support (premium) for table olives in 2019. We were expressing on all platforms that the VAT in olive oil should be reduced to 1 percent, thank God, this has also happened.”
“However, as the Exchange,” Alhat said that they will not give up on bringing the problems of the producers to the relevant authorities, “Producer costs have increased by 100 percent. Producer premiums for table olives and olive oil have remained low in today’s environment. Premium supports are very important. These need to be hiked. Exporter supports need to be hiked.”
“While customs duty is waived in the import of vegetable oils, the absence of this in 100 percent domestic olive oil weakens our hand. At this point, if the olive oil sector is supported by 30 percent, this farmer will plant olives even on the mountains,” Alhat explained.
“WE CAN BE THE WORLD LEADER”
“We believe that this fair will serve as a bridge in reaching the place we deserve in the food industry in the world,” said Alhat.
Stating that the producers work hard to obtain quality, healthy olives and olive oil, Alhat concluded, “Quality is asked of us, but as a country, we lag behind in branding and marketing in the sector. ‘Akhisar’ is a brand in olive and olive oil. We should promote our brand to the world by participating in such fairs as much as we can. If we market it with the right strategy, Türkiye can become the world leader in olive oil and olive production.”
On the other hand, the owners of the olive and olive oil companies from Akhisar region at the stand emphasized that the fair was productive and thanked Akhisar Commodity Exchange…
