According to calculations based on field data collected from producer partners by expert teams, Hidamet Asa, President of the Marmara Olive Agriculture Sales Cooperatives Association (Marmarabirlik), reported that this year the production cost of one kilogram of olives is 34.2 Turkish Lira.

A statement from Marmarabirlik revealed that, as the olive harvesting season is approaching, Marmarabirlik conducted an intense field study to calculate the production cost of one kilogram of olives until the harvesting period. The cost calculations included fertilization costs of 19,800 Turkish Lira, pruning 25,000 Turkish Lira, spraying 26,000 Turkish Lira, irrigation 20,000 Turkish Lira, fuel 25,000 Turkish Lira, harvesting 99,000 Turkish Lira, and depreciation of 10,000 Turkish Lira, based on 10 hectares and 250 trees. The total expenses, including an interest expense of 48,800 Turkish Lira at 45%, resulted in an average cost of 34.20 Turkish Lira per kilogram of olives.

The total expenses for 10 hectares of olive groves amounted to 273,600 Turkish Lira. Marmarabirlik President Hidamet Asa mentioned that there was a 100% increase in productivity per tree compared to the previous year. Asa highlighted that in İznik and Orhangazi, the increase in productivity per tree was 200%, stating, “We supported our producers by increasing our product purchase prices by 160% in 2022-2023 and by 145% in 2023-2024, totaling a 305% increase. As productivity per tree increases, the cost per kilogram decreases.

Even if the average purchase price decreases due to the caliber, income increases due to productivity per tree. This year, we evaluate the average yield per hectare as 800 kilograms. After calculating all expenses, we determined that the cost of one kilogram of olives is 34.20 Turkish Lira.” Asa warned olive producers about the negative perceptions created in the market concerning the cost of olives, saying, “Creating a negative perception in the market based on the kilogram cost of olives is attempted. When olives are scarce, productivity per tree decreases, and the cost per hectare increases. When olives are abundant, productivity per tree increases, and the cost per hectare decreases. Consequently, the cost of one kilogram of olives decreases. This logic and calculation are well known by everyone.

Cost announcements made without specifying the yield per tree or the amount of hectares used do not align with reality. We provide a cost calculation based on the data collected from the field by our technical teams at Marmarabirlik and implement policies that do not harm the producer.” Asa expressed concern about manipulated figures intended to harm producers, stating, “So-called individuals who announced last year’s yield per hectare as 500 kilograms have now set this year’s figure at 750 kilograms. However, all our producers have shared data with us showing that they harvested double the yield from last year. Attempts are being made to make producers relive 2018 with speculative statements. In 2018, the 250-caliber olives that Marmarabirlik bought for 8 Turkish Lira were purchased by merchants for 4 Turkish Lira per kilogram.

We presented the public with the amount of the declared yield, which we had recently announced as being high per tree. While the total declared yield from all cooperatives was 44,864 tons last year, this year’s declared yield has reached 96,000 tons as of today. This is evidence of a higher yield compared to the previous year.”