Dangerous Olive Harvest Begins on the Edge of a Fissure

November 2, 2026 · Milliyet Ekonomi

In Hatay's Altınözü district, olive growers are continuing their harvest on the edge of a cliff created by an earthquake, despite safety concerns and reduced yields.

Dangerous Harvest in the Earthquake Fissure

Olive harvesting has begun in Tepehan Neighborhood of Altınözü district in Hatay, which suffered immense destruction from the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes. Due to a massive fissure that ran through the middle of the 33-decare (8.15 acre) olive grove during the disaster, the distance between the trees on either side opened up to approximately 300 meters (984 feet). In the area where 200 trees were lost within the deep sinkhole and fissure, producers are working with great unease. Farmer Bahattin Temizkan stated that a bright blue smoke rose from the land during the tremor and about half of the land slid downwards.

Safety Concerns on the Cliff Edge

Bahattin Temizkan highlighted that cultivating land that has been divided poses vital risks, emphasizing their immense fear when approaching the trees on the edge of the cliff. The producer noted that even using a tractor is dangerous and that a moment of carelessness could lead to fatal consequences. Temizkan explained that to prevent accidents, they are prioritizing the risky trees on the cliff edge for harvesting, proceeding cautiously towards the inner parts of the field while maintaining safety precautions against the risk of falling.

Decreased Yield and Rainfall Obstacles

Producer Bahattin Temizkan stated that they could not reach the high yields they expected at the beginning of the season, reporting that excessive fruit drop during the summer months significantly reduced the yield. The farmer informed that the harvest, which normally begins after October 29th, was delayed this year due to heavy rainfall. He mentioned that the slippery ground made it difficult to lay down tarps and collect the produce. After manually collecting the fallen harvest, producers are trying to complete the harvest by the New Year by laying down tarps under the trees.

Price Uncertainty in the Olive Oil Market

Producer Bahattin Temizkan reported that the harvested produce under difficult conditions is being processed in factories, but the current market prices are not satisfying for the farmers. Temizkan stated that olive oil is priced according to its quality, with average products selling between 130 and 180 TL, and edible olive oil fetching around 200 TL per kilogram. He shared that prices for olive oil with a high acid ratio have dropped to 50-60 TL, leading some producers to prefer leaving their products on consignment and waiting.

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