The Madrid-based IOC predicted that following the release of crop estimates from Syrian authorities, 215,000 tonnes of olive oil would be produced in the country over the next 12 months.
Due to favorable growing conditions and the devastating impact that war had on the industry last year, the IOC said that Syria's predicted olive oil production increase "stands out" as it is 105 percent higher than the return in 2014.
Olives were domesticated in what is present day Syria 6 thousand + years ago http://t.co/RQl31k4L04 @Heritage_Radio pic.twitter.com/knKaoqhceh
— Edible Alphabet (@EdibleABCs) November 17, 2014
Syria's predicted output of 215,000 tonnes sees it rank fourth in terms of global olive oil production estimates for 2015-2016, behind Spain (1.2 million tones), Italy (350,000) and Greece (320,000), and ahead of other olive oil producing countries such as Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco.
However, despite the positive predictions, authorities noted that Syria's olive oil producers faced numerous obstacles to turn their harvests into a sellable product.
With fighting still raging between various government forces and rebels groups in Syria, many areas aren't accessible for olive workers.
And while weather conditions have allowed for a bumper season of olive growth, there are also concerns that the conflict in Syria will cause significant damage to some of the country's olive groves, with centuries-old olive trees being cut down and used for firewood.
However, despite the dangers of war continuing in Syria, officials believe there is reason for the country's 'olive warriors' to be optimistic about the future — Syria's oil is expected to make up seven percent of the world's total production.
This fight back has been seen as a sign of the resilience of the Syrian people after four long years of bloody war and tragedy.
