"Olive yields dropped to 30 percent due to drought."

The olive harvest has begun in the Avdan neighborhood of Manisa 's Soma district. Olive producer and factory owner Şerif Ali Uysal said that the drought has reduced yields by as much as 30 percent, and that olive oil prices are expected to rise above 300 lira.

Manisa producer Şerif Ali Uysal, noting that the olive season has begun, noted that this year's drought has reduced olive productivity. Uysal said, "Compared to last year, the olive and olive oil yields are quite low. Fewer olives are on the trees. Overall, the yield is around 25-30%. The lack of rain in the summer caused the trees to become stressed and shed their berries. This has reduced production. With recent rains, the olives have grown slightly larger, which has increased the demand for table olives. The amount of olives used for oil production has decreased."

"COST INCREASE AFFECTS PRICES"

Uysal also highlighted rising production costs, saying, "Fertilizer, diesel, and labor costs have increased significantly. These increases will naturally be reflected in olive oil prices."

Uysal, reminding that olive oil prices dropped from 250 lira to 150 lira last year due to the high yield, said, "This year, prices have risen again because olives are scarce. It now looks like prices will be in the 250-300 lira range."