The Syrian Ministry of Agriculture issued a circular on October 4, specifying the start dates for the olive harvest and the opening of oil mills for the 2026 agricultural season, based on climatic conditions, production areas, and cultivated varieties. The Ministry confirmed that the estimated initial production of olive fruits is approximately 954,730 tons, with about 20 percent allocated for table olives, while the remaining 80 percent is directed for pressing.
For his part, Muhammad Qawas, Director of the Olive Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the necessity of adhering to the specified dates for governorates, which extend from the beginning of the current month to the beginning of the next, while taking into account climatic conditions, variety characteristics, and ripeness indicators. He stressed avoiding harvesting fruits during rainfall or immediately after, waiting approximately five to seven days for them to dry, and avoiding the hottest hours to reduce humidity levels.
Qawas pointed out the importance of completing maintenance and cleaning works and conducting technical tests for production lines fifteen days before the official opening date for each region to ensure mill readiness. He also called for strengthening agricultural extension and raising farmers' awareness of proper harvesting and transportation practices by preparing short instructional videos to be published via social media platforms.
For his part, Zaid Abu Asaf, Director of Agriculture in Damascus and its countryside, clarified that drought and rising temperatures negatively affect olive tree production, while abundant rainfall and improved soil moisture have provided better conditions for trees in most governorates. He noted that rising labor wages and costs for transporting the crop and fuels are among the main economic challenges facing farmers.
Abu Asaf explained that olive fruits ripen faster in low-lying and warm areas, while their ripening is delayed in mountainous and high-altitude regions. He pointed out that early harvesting yields a smaller quantity of oil but may produce oil richer in antioxidants, whereas excessive delay leads to a decline in some antioxidant compounds.
The Ministry of Agriculture had previously estimated olive oil production at approximately 190,946 tons, based on a pressing rate of 25 percent, which would enhance farmers' economic returns and support the value of the national product in foreign markets.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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