Olive oil sector voices high hopes for 2011 and beyond

Next year should be a big one for Turkey's olive oil production and exports, the National Olive and Olive Oil Council said over the weekend, with even higher hopes for the years to come. "By 2014 we're aiming to be number two in the world," said council head Mustafa Tan. In February Turkey will also host the International Olive Council's annual meeting. At a recent meeting of the Madrid-based council, Deputy Industry Undersecretary Mehmet Vehbi Gunan said that despite its own production, every year Turkey imports 1 million tons of oil seeds and vegetable oil at a cost of $3 million.