Technical efficiency of olive oil producing enterprises in Antalya

Throughout history, olives have been seen as a symbol of peace and a source of welfare. Its high edible and oil value and the fact that it is cultivated in limited areas indicates how valuable a plant's olives are. Türkiye ranks fifth in world olive oil production after Spain, Tunisia, Italy, and Greece. In recent years, Türkiye's olive oil imports have increased rapidly, but its exports have not increased at the same rate. This study aims to determine the technical efficiency of olive oil enterprises in Antalya province, to identify their problems, and to develop solutions. For this purpose, 30 olive oil enterprises were interviewed. The data belongs to 2022-2023. Data envelopment analysis was used to estimate efficiency scores. The results showed that the efficiency of the enterprises ranged from 30.9% to 100%, with an average of 73.4%. The enterprises operate between September and February with an average capacity of 58.83%. The enterprises' average olive oil sales price varied between 58.57 TL and 93.69 TL depending on the quality of the olive oil. While 20.36% of the olive oil produced was sold directly to consumers, 71.71% was sold to wholesalers and 7.93% to retailers. The increase in input costs, price instability, and difficulties in obtaining quality raw materials were identified as the main problems. To ensure the supply of quality raw materials, modern agricultural techniques should be used by olive producers and regular maintenance should be carried out. Finally, it is considered one of the most important issues to raise awareness and will use the inputs used in production more effectively.