Ayvalık hosts 21st International Olive Harvest and Tourism Festival

The 21st International Olive Harvest and Tourism Festival took place in the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir, Turkey. The event included harvest activities on the Mutluköy road, attended by local officials including Ayvalık District Governor Ömer Çimşit and Mayor Mesut Ergin, alongside various chambers, NGOs, and olive producers.

Mayor Mesut Ergin stated that olive oil is more than a product for Ayvalık, describing it as a way of life and a culture that the town seeks to preserve for the future. He noted that the festival serves as a platform to boost economic vitality and address the challenges faced by local producers.

Halil Aykut, the newly elected president of the Ayvalık Chamber of Commerce, reported that this year's harvest is bountiful. He emphasized the goal of increasing per capita olive oil consumption to strengthen the domestic market. Aykut also provided market insights, noting that while Spain expects a harvest of approximately 1.59 million tons, Turkey's official expectations of 600,000 tons may result in actual yields between 400,000 and 450,000 tons. He added that surplus production in Spain and Italy has led to declining prices, which is beginning to impact the Turkish market.