Olive producers in Turkey face crisis over low prices and high costs

Olive producers in Turkey's major production hubs, including Aydın and Manisa, are facing a severe economic crisis due to rising production costs and plummeting purchase prices. Despite a high-yield harvest season, farmers report that the market price for olives is failing to cover basic expenses such as fertilizer, fuel, irrigation, pruning, and labor.

In Aydın's Karacasu district, producers noted that while olives sell for 300-350 lira per kilogram in markets, they are being purchased at the farm for only 15-25 lira. Some producers expressed extreme distress, stating that the cost of labor alone often consumes the entirety of their earnings.

In Manisa, the situation is similarly dire. Prices for certain varieties like 'uslu' have dropped to 17-18 lira per kilogram, while oil olives have fallen to as low as 10 lira. With harvesting labor costs reaching 15-20 lira per kilogram, some farmers argue it is more profitable to leave the fruit on the trees rather than harvest it. Local officials warn that if these prices persist, the financial instability will prevent farmers from purchasing necessary supplies for next year, threatening long-term production capacity.