Aiming to be the second largest olive oil producer in the world, Turkish producers increased promotional activities in selected export markets. Formed by the initiatives of producers and chambers of industry the promotional committee for olive and olive oil, ZZTK has recently participated in China International Edible Oil Olive Oil Exhibition 2015, held in Guangzhou, 4 – 6 June 2015, to introduce Turkish olive products. ZZTK participated in this event for the first time.
The committee and its members have been participating regularly in the Food Hospitality China Fair held in Shanghai since 2009. Buyers coming from Guangdong, Malaysia, Hong Kong and other regions nearby were introduced Turkish olive oil and olive products. Head of the committee, M. Kadri Gundes, informed about activities of the committee and said, “With its population of more than 100 million, Guangdong is the most populous state in China and it accounts for about 40 percent of total foreign trade of China. Its foods imports go up to 18 billion dollars and this represent an important market for Turkish producers. The national income of the Guangdong is the highest and we want to increase our exports to this market. Annual imports of olive oil is about 35 thousand tons in China. It is forecast that this volume will reach to 50 thousand tons by 2020. In 2011 Turkey exported 453 tons of olive oil. The figures were 898 tons in 2012 1,028 tons in 2013 and 1,172 tons in 2014.” Kadri Gundes was also interviewed by Guangdong TV, one of the majör TV channels in Guangdong region. He said, “We organized a seminar on Turkish olive oil and olive products at the first day of the event. In our presentation we emphasized on the fact that Turkish olive oil is produced purely without any add-ons through dependable processes that were protected by laws. In some countries olive oils have been mixed with oils of other origins.
Olives are not produced in China. Companies imports olive oil in bulk and sell them after packaging or bottling in China. We were close contact with Chinese companies and buyers of retail chains during the event. Chinese has great interest in Turkish products. A group of buying teams will come to Turkey on the invitation of our committee in Autumn. We got positive feedback on our buying team organization from major food importers.”
