The first results for Southern Hemisphere olive oil producers will be announced on September 1st as the second part of the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition gets underway.
For the following two months, producers from at least seven countries across three continents will await news of whether their extra virgin olive oil has been awarded at the world’s largest and most prestigious olive oil quality contest.
Registration for Southern Hemisphere producers is still open; the deadline for receiving samples is October 1st.
See Also:The World’s Best Olive OilsTo date, 92 entries have been submitted from Brazil (39), South Africa (14), Australia (13), Chile (13), Argentina (6), Uruguay (4) and New Zealand (3).
While producers across the hemisphere reported mixed results for olive oil production quantities, many were confident that quality was as high as ever.
Producers and authorities in Argentina, Brazil and Chile reported improved harvests compared to the previous year. Uruguay is expecting a record harvest.
“On the other hand, the quality obtained this year is exceptional; we are happy with the sensory profiles we are obtaining,” said María Morín, the marketing manager at Nuevo Manatial in Uruguay, which earned a Gold Award at the 2022 NYIOOC.
Meanwhile, producers in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are not as confident about the quantity of olive oil produced but also said they believe quality is world-class.
“Olive oil quality was excellent,” said Leandro Ravetti, Cobram Estate’s co-chief executive and chief oil maker.
Over the years, producers have shared the benefits of winning international quality awards. In a 2019 survey, dozens of NYIOOC winners said the awards improved their brand’s standing in the eyes of prospective and existing customers.
“After announcing our award, we’ve had a lot of new interest in our oil and we are certain sales will continue strongly until we sell out,” said Sally Murrey, co-owner of Totara Tunnel Olives in New Zealand, which earned a Gold Award at the 2022 NYIOOC.
“These awards are validation of the hard work, dedication and expertise we have put into producing our world-class oils and will help build an increased awareness amongst retailers and consumers,” added Tim Dugan, the managing director of Cockatoo Grove in Australia, which earned two Gold Awards at the 2022 NYIOOC.
Still, other producers went a step further and said NYIOOC victories helped improve the reputation of entire regions in countries that are not traditionally associated with olive oil production.
“Olive oil production in Brazil is something new and winning these awards shows our potential to produce quality olive oil,” said Paula Trevisan, the owner of Origen Trevisen, which won a Gold Award at the 2022 NYIOOC. “This is an incentive for producers to increase production and new ones to enter the olive growing business.”
“[The NYIOOC] allows South African oils – and Western Cape oils – to be benchmarked against the best in the world,” added Willie Duminy, co-owner of Porterville Olives. “We believe that the three 2022 Gold Awards will enhance our Andante brand substantially, locally and internationally.”
Producers also point out the importance of the NYIOOC for first-time winners, confirming that they are moving in the right direction and rewarding the hard work and sacrifice it takes to produce award-winning extra virgin olive oil.
“Everyone recognizes that having two olive oils awarded at the NYIOOC during their first participation shows dedication in all stages of the process,” said Flavo Fernandes, co-owner of Pedregais in Brazil, which earned two Gold Awards at the 2022 NYIOOC.
“We are extremely happy to see that, despite our short history of only five years, our daily work and dedication were recognized,” he concluded.
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