Turkey ranks 4. / 5. in world olive oil production.Most of the olive oil is
exported.
Olive oil consumption is very poor among Turkish people.Only who live in olive
growing areas( Western Turkey ) consume above world standards, for example in my
family olive oil consumption per person is more than 60 lt.In a way it has got
to do with knowing or being familiar with olive oil.But consumption is growing.

I have a grove, a family grove not a big one, appr. 90 mature trees. The olive
oil yield was like 500 kg.
My only cost is irrigating 3 times during summer ( USD around 120 ) and paying
for pickers ( USD 20 / picker for a day )+ olive press ( which is like USD 40 /
ton ).
I do purinning myself. I do not fertilize the soil with chemicals or what so
ever.In a way I do organic growing, traditional way; going to the grove only 3
times a year, for irrigating in the summer, for harvesting in the winter and for
prunning in the spring.The rain is very important in areas where irrigating is
impposible.The rain also effects the oil content per olive.
What I basicly want to say is Olive Oil production in Turkey is just like what
it was like 7000 years ago.Only not man powered machines took place of the ols
system olive pressing.
Worlds known one of the oldest olive press house discovered in Western Turkey.
www.klazomenai.com .
I would like to invite people who are interested in olive harvesting and olive
pressing to my hometown,which is nearby ancient sites, for this coming harvest
season where I expect a good yield as the rain has been good.

Best regards,

Ozgur Akoglu