Olive and Olive Oil Sector to Join Forces in the UR-GE Project
29 December 2025
The Turkish olive oil sector, whose exports have come to a standstill due to incorrect decisions taken over the last three years, aims to halt this negative trend by uniting under the "OlivetoLive" UR-GE Project, led by the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association.
New projects are being added daily to the "Supporting the Development of International Competitiveness (UR-GE)" program, which is 75% supported by the Ministry of Trade. These projects enable exporter companies to enhance their competencies through clustering and increase their exports via joint marketing.
The Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, which gathers Turkey's olive and olive oil exporters under a single roof, has decided to launch the "OlivetoLive" UR-GE project to boost the sector's capabilities, exports, and competitiveness.
Through this call, the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association has invited olive and olive oil exporting companies to participate in the UR-GE Project.
Training and Marketing Activities Will Be Prioritized
Emre Uygun, Chairman of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, stated that they envision running the "OlivetoLive" UR-GE Project for three years. Uygun noted that they aim to benefit from activities approved by the Ministry, including training and/or consultancy determined by the initial needs analysis, as well as overseas marketing and buying missions, fair visits, and participation in international fairs with stands.
Pointing out that the Turkish olive oil sector is going through a difficult period, Chairman Uygun said:
"Our olive oil sector lost its competitiveness when incorrect decisions made regarding our sector over the last three years coincided with the disinflation process in Turkey. We entered the 2025/26 season in November. In the first month, our olive oil exports plummeted by 80%, falling from 8,636 tons to 1,701 tons. In other words, our exports have come to a standstill. This winter will surely be followed by a spring. To prepare for that time, we want to heal our wounds by acting together as a sector."
Companies wishing to participate in the "OlivetoLive UR-GE Project," planned to be conducted by the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association for the olive and olive oil sector, are expected to contact the Aegean Exporters' Associations Agriculture 1 Branch and submit their application forms by the end of business hours on Thursday, January 15, 2026.