top of page
Search

"7.5 billion people in the world are not aware of olive oil."

In which regions is olive oil produced and consumed?

Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture Prof. Dr. Mücahit Taha Özkaya stated that vegetable oil production in the world is approximately 230 million and 3 million tonnes of this is olive oil. Prof. Dr. Özkaya emphasised that Turkey should produce olive oil with a high health component and said, "There are 8 Mediterranean countries producing 95 percent of the 3 million tonnes of olive oil. 8 Mediterranean countries; Spain produces 50 per cent of it. This is followed by Italy, Greece, Tunisia and Turkey. Turkey ranks 5th and has an annual olive oil production of approximately 300 thousand tonnes. Behind Turkey are Portugal, Morocco and Egypt. These 8 countries, which produce 95 per cent of the world's olive oil, consume 75 per cent of olive oil in their domestic markets. The population of these 8 countries is approximately 250 million. There are 8 billion people in the world and over 7.5 billion people are not aware of olive oil."


"Can olive trees be moved?"

Underlining that there are various reasons for moving olive trees, Prof. Dr. Özkaya said, "Some of these are road construction, dam construction. Olive trees can be moved for different purposes. In addition, in order to transform old olive groves to establish new groves for more intensive production, there is an olive transport process that started especially in Spain. In Spain, old olive trees are uprooted from orchards and olive trees are replanted in other places to be used for landscaping purposes. However, there are some issues to be considered during transportation. Especially if we pay attention to the tuber of the olive tree under the soil and protect it, the olive tree can be transported very easily. If you take care of the tree, it will continue to bear fruit. You need to know the conditions under which you should carry it, we need to know the technique well. In Spain and Italy, we see a significant transformation in old olive trees. Old trees are used for landscaping and young saplings are planted in their place. For example, in Spain, due to intensive production, they are endeavouring to establish new dwarf olive groves. For this purpose, there are farmers who uproot the existing old trees and plant new dwarf trees instead."


"To produce as a health component and high value-added product"

Prof. Dr. Özkaya also said, "Olive oil is very beneficial for health due to the component called "oleocantal" in it. Olive oils with high levels of this component are sold at high prices abroad. Turkey can obtain economic value by producing and exporting such olive oils. Producing olive oil as a product with a high health component and high added value will strengthen Turkey's position in the world market and will contribute significantly to foreign currency inflow to the country."





Comments

bottom of page