Turkey Lifts Ban on Bulk Olive Oil Exports

Turkey’s olive oil producers are preparing to ramp up exports to the United States, Japan and Australia following the complete lifting of bulk olive oil export restrictions. They aim to compete with European producers on quality and price while making significant gains in other key markets, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China and Japan, where demand is increasing. By 2025, Turkey plans to enhance its presence in these regions through targeted marketing and trade partnerships. The ban was lifted 13 months after the Turkish government suspended bulk olive oil exports to stabilize domestic prices and encourage the export of individually packaged olive oil, which commands higher prices than bulk olive oil. “The restriction on olive oil exports in Turkey was done to prevent prices from rising in the domestic market,” said Mustafa Tan, president of the National Olive and Olive Oil Council. “However, since prices in the domestic market are related to world prices, ...