Olive growing in Karaman
Akdeniz region · 9.518 t of olives and 1.483 t of olive oil in 2025-26.
In the 2025-26 season Karaman harvested 9.518 tonnes of olives from 738.000 bearing trees — an average of 12.9 kg per tree. Of that crop 1.934 t went to the table and 7.584 t to pressing, yielding 1.483 tonnes of olive oil.
Where it stands
- 6 of 9 in the Akdeniz region — 1.7% of the region's crop, 0.4% of Turkey's
- 12.9 kg per tree — 1.1 kg above the regional average of 11.8 kg
- 20% of the crop goes to the table (regional average 33%) — oil-oriented
The district a dam changed: Ermenek
Karaman is one of the rare provinces that entered olive growing late, and owes it to an infrastructure project. Almost all of the province's crop is concentrated in the district of Ermenek.
When the Ermenek Dam filled, the district's microclimate shifted and crops previously impossible became viable. Before the dam the district held around 500 olive trees; today the figure is 200,000.
What distinguishes Ermenek's groves is altitude: fruit grown at 800-900 m ripens roughly 20 days later than on the coast. Late ripening produces a different aroma profile — the balance between early harvest, quality and price can be observed directly here.
There is an economic dimension too: after the mines submerged by the reservoir closed, the district recovered part of its income through olives. Ermenek table olives and oil are now known well beyond the district.
2025-26 season
| Bearing trees | 738.000 |
| Olives | 9.518 t |
| To the table | 1.934 t (%20) |
| For oil | 7.584 t |
| Olive oil | 1.483 t |
| Per tree | 12.9 kg |
Only the current season is published for this province; the multi-season series exists for İzmir, Aydın, Manisa, Muğla, Bursa and Çanakkale.
Varieties of the Akdeniz region
Varieties are recorded by region in the source, not by province.