02.11.2026 09:25
Harvest has begun in the 33-decare olive grove in the Altınözü district of Hatay, which was split in two when the fault line ruptured during the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. A distance of about 300 meters formed between the trees at the two ends of the fissure, and 200 trees remained inside the fissure. Farmer Bahattin Temizkan said they were afraid to approach the trees at the edge of the cliff.
Harvesting has begun in the 33-decare olive grove in the Altınözü district of Hatay, which was split in two when the fault line ruptured during the earthquake. The farmer, who harvests while afraid to approach the trees at the edge of the cliff, continues his arduous work.
200 TREES REMAINED INSIDE THE FISSURE
In the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the 33-decare olive grove in Tepehan Neighborhood of Altınözü district was split in two. In the grove where a massive fissure formed, a distance of almost 300 meters occurred between the trees at the two ends, and 200 trees were left inside the fissure and ruined. Harvesting has begun in the olive trees right beside the giant fissure, which shows the magnitude of the disaster of the century and is frightening in appearance. Farmer Bahattin Temizkan, who continues the harvest with unease, noted that prices vary according to the acidity rate of the olives and said that olive oil is sold for between 130 and 180 TL.
THEY ARE AFRAID TO APPROACH THE TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF
Farmer Bahattin Temizkan, stating that they work carefully while harvesting in the olive grove split in two by the earthquake, said, 'We are harvesting olives here. During the earthquake, a bright blue smoke rose from here in a way that even we could not understand. Then a large fissure formed. When we saw it, we were astonished and very frightened. Thank God it did not reach our village. It was a relief that the fissure was not close to our village. This used to be a very neat and beautiful olive grove. However, due to the fissure that formed, about half of the land split and slid downward. We have a total of 33 decares of land, but we do not know exactly how much of it was damaged because of the fissure. We are afraid to approach the trees left at the edge of the cliff. We think it is dangerous even while driving a tractor. With a moment of carelessness, our foot could slip, and we could fall and break an arm or a leg. For this reason, we move very carefully. First we harvest the olive trees at the edge of the cliff,' he said.
OLIVE OIL IS BETWEEN 130 AND 180 TL
Farmer Temizkan, stating that harvesting became difficult in the split field due to rainfall, said, 'This year I expected a lot of yield from the olives, but it was not as we expected. During the summer months, most of the olives fell. Normally we would start harvesting after October 29, Republic Day. This year our work became difficult due to rainfall. Walking on the land, setting up nets, and collecting the olives became harder. First we collect by hand the olives that have fallen to the ground. Then we spread nets under the trees, collect the olives, and fill sacks with them. We are harvesting, but we are not satisfied with the prices. The price of olive oil varies according to the acidity rate. When the acidity rate is high, the price goes down; when it is low, it goes up. Prices vary on average between 130 and 180 TL. For products with a high acidity rate, the price can drop to 50-60 TL. We take the olives we collect to the factory and have their oil extracted. After measurements are made, those who wish sell their oil, and those who wish leave it in trust at the factory to be kept until New Year. The kilogram of edible olive oil is about 200 TL. The olive harvest will continue until New Year. We completed the harvest of the other side of the field in good weather. Now we have moved to this side. We work as much as we can, but harvesting at the edge of the fissure is truly very dangerous. God forbid, with a moment of stumbling it is possible to fall down. Therefore, we will first carefully harvest the trees at the edge and then move upward. We have to work with our safety in mind,' he stated.