Olive and olive oil production and marketing in East Mediterranean Region and the possibilities to improve olive sector in the region

As a result of the rapidly increasing olive plantation areas in East Mediterranean Region, important increases are expected in olive, olive oil and table oil products. The best evaluation of the future production potential is only possible through the solution of the current problems and taking the future precautions at the present time. In this study, all aspects of oil production sector are investigated and current problems in the production and marketing stages are determined and thus necessary recommendations are developed. The main material of the study consists of the primary data obtained through questionnaires with olive, olive oil and table oil producers and intermediary dealers in the marketing of these products in Hatay, Mersin, Osmaniye and Adana provinces. In conclusion, some deficiencies are determined in the study, which decrease the efficiency in production and marketing organizations of olive, olive oil and table oil products. In order to effectively evaluate the production expected to increase in the forthcoming years, olive production technique should be improved, deficiencies in the marketing organization should be eliminated, marketing strategies should be developed by determining target markets and branding efforts should be increased.