Ankara: Trkiye has surpassed Italy to become the world’s second-largest producer of olive oil and table olives, trailing only Spain, according to the International Olive Council (IOC).

According to Anadolu Agency, Jaime Lillo, executive director of the Madrid-based IOC, emphasized that Trkiye’s role in the olive sector has become critical. Over the past five seasons, Trkiye has not only consolidated its position as a leading producer but also made significant contributions to the global olive community. The country’s remarkable growth in table olive production has seen it surpass Egypt, becoming the world’s largest producer in the 2024-25 season.

Trkiye’s olive oil exports have also seen a substantial increase, rising by 132% in the 2024-25 season, contributing to a global export rise of 25%. The IOC recognizes Trkiye’s proactive involvement in addressing sector challenges, including climate change, and acknowledges the country’s representation within the council since 2023.

Lillo highlighted the importance of olive groves as natural carbon sinks, a vital tool in combating climate change, especially in the Mediterranean basin. The pandemic, he noted, marked a pivotal moment for the olive industry, spurring increased consumption in both traditional and emerging markets, including the US, Canada, Brazil, China, and Japan.

In addition to Trkiye’s achievements, Syria is in talks to rejoin the IOC, signaling a return to international collaboration after years of civil unrest. The IOC is also focused on preserving genetic material of major olive oil varieties at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and is launching a pilot project to assess carbon balance in olive farms across 29 countries.

The IOC’s report further details Trkiye’s fluctuating olive oil production, peaking at 505,000 tons in the 2024-25 season. Despite an expected decline in the upcoming season, Trkiye remains a key player in global olive oil consumption and export. The report also notes a shift in global olive oil imports, with significant contributions from Trkiye, Tunisia, Spain, and Italy.

Overall, global olive oil production is projected to reach 3.44 million tons in the 2025-26 season, with table olive production anticipated to rise in certain regions while declining in others. The health benefits of olive oil, as documented by extensive research, underline its growing global appeal.