Financial incentives for olive oil producers increased by 67 percent in 2011

In response to a written parliamentary question, Eker stated recently that the ministry allocated TL169 million to support olive producers between the years 1998 and 2011. Recalling that Turkey aims to become the world's second-largest olive oil producer by 2014, Eker noted that the ministry has set a series of measures to improve the quality of Turkey's olive and olive oil production and enhance the production and export of olives and olive oil. He added that in order to improve current olive orchards, the ministry allocated TL 71 million for certified sapling planting between 2005 and 2010.

The minster also underlined the importance of agricultural mechanization in olive production, adding: “Within the framework of rural development policies, the ministry has developed a grant scheme that enables olive producers to claim reimbursement of up to 50 percent of their mechanization investment, including harvesting, processing and packing equipment. Apart from the government's incentives, when we consider that the efforts of olive producers to improve their existing olive orchards and intensify the planting of new olive saplings that will be available for harvest within a few years, it will not be difficult to reach our 2014 targets."

Eker stated that as a result of their efforts, land devoted to olive cultivation, which was 600,000 hectares in 2002, increased by 38 percent. Also, the number of olive orchards, which was 99 million in 2002, increased to 168 million.

He added that total olive production, which was 600,000 tons in 2002, increased more than threefold and reached 1.750 million tons. Turkey's per capita annual consumption, which was 1.3 kilograms in 2002, totaled 2 kilograms in 2011.