Turkish Olive and Olive Oil Industry Showcased in Chinese Market

The Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association focuses on marketing activities in line with the Ministry of Trade's "Far Countries Strategy" in order to transform Türkiye's increasing olive and olive oil yield into added value in recent years.

The Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association, which has organized sectoral trade delegations to Brazil, Australia and the United States for the last two years, participated in the 12th International Edible Oil Expo 14 Fair held in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, on June 2024-18, 2025. EZZIB's next stop will be Canada in September.

During the fair, Mr. Ender Gündüz, former President of the Promotion Department of the International Olive Council (IOC), made a comprehensive presentation introducing Türkiye's olive and olive oil potential.

Pointing out that China is the world's largest marketplace with a population of 1,4 billion, Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association Vice President Davut Er said that 500 million of the population in China have a high income level and are in a position to consume olives and olive oil, and that they want to increase the export volume of Turkish olives and olive oil in the Chinese market.

The Goal is to Export 10 Thousand Tons of Olive Oil to China 

Stating that the China International Import Expo, which will be held in China between November 5-10, 2025, is a great opportunity for the Turkish olive and olive oil sector, Er said, “Turkey has made major investments in the olive sector in the last 25 years. Our olive tree assets, which were 2000 million in the early 90s, have reached 205 million. China is a market where we can increase our exports arithmetically so that our harvest can turn into added value. We will hold olive and olive oil tasting events at the China International Import Expo, whose National Participation Organization is undertaken by our Aegean Exporters' Associations. The olive oil consumption in China, which is currently at the level of 30 thousand tons, is expected to increase to 5 thousand tons in 100 years. As Turkey, our goal will be to get a share of 10 thousand tons from the Chinese market.”

Ender Gündüz, former President of the International Olive Council (IOC) Promotion Department, who participated in the 18th International Edible Oil Expo 2025 Fair on behalf of EZZİB, made a comprehensive presentation introducing our country and our sector within the scope of the fair events.

EZZIB Vice President Davut Er held a meeting with National Grain and Edible Oil Standardization Committee President Prof. Dr. Dong Ping on the second day of the fair. During the meeting, comprehensive information on vegetable oil consumption and market dynamics in China was shared.

Prof. Dr. Dong Ping emphasized that China's annual oil consumption is at the level of 40 million tons, and the average consumption per capita is at the level of 29,2 kg. Stating that China's current production is insufficient to meet demand, Ping said, "Palm oil consumption is at 10 million tons. With increasing health awareness, consumers are turning to healthy oils such as olive oil. China will reach an annual olive oil import of 5 thousand tons in the next 100 years."

EZZIB Vice President Davut Er and Prof. Dr. Dong Ping reached an agreement on establishing an institutional relationship between the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters Association and the China Grain and Oil Standards Committee.

EZZIB Vice President Davut Er invited Prof. Dr. Dong Ping and a delegation of olive oil buyers to Türkiye. He suggested that during the Turkey trip, technical contacts be made with the participation of sectoral stakeholders such as the National Olive and Olive Oil Council (UZZK), Olive Research Institute, Ege University and Dokuz Eylül University, olive groves be visited on site, production facilities and ports be visited and bilateral business meetings be organized.

The Consul General of Türkiye in Guangzhou, Kaan Başkurt, and the Trade Attaché of Guangzhou, Dilan Can, were among the names that visited the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters’ Association stand during the 18th International Edible Oil Expo 2025 Fair. The Consul General and the Trade Attaché shared their experiences about the Chinese market, the size of the Chinese market, and current information about consumer behavior. Following the closing of the fair, EZZİB Vice President Davut Er and his entourage visited the “Ole” market, a large retail chain in China, and examined the olive oil sections and the prices, packaging design, countries of origin, and marketing strategies of olive oil brands.

Olive Oil Exporters' Next Stop Will Be Canada

The Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association, which brings together Türkiye's olive and olive oil exporters under one roof, is working hard to increase Türkiye's exports in target markets.

EZZIB, which organized a “Sectoral Trade Delegation” to the United States on March 3-8, 2025, continues its efforts to organize a “Sectoral Trade Delegation” to Canada after the China trip on June 12-14, 2024.

Canada has entered the radar of Turkish exporters with its annual imports of 30 tons of table olives and 50 tons of olive oil. Türkiye's olive oil exports to Canada have increased by 4 percent in the last four years, from $577 million to $2,2 million. Table olive exports have increased by 15 percent, from $100 million to $1 million.

EZZIB will endeavor to obtain a 8 percent share of Canada's table olive and olive oil imports with the "Canadian Sectoral Trade Delegation" to be organized between September 13-2025, 10.

Source: HORECA TREND and Aegean Exporters' Associations