Four hundred eighty-six extra virgin and flavored olive oils were awarded at the ninth EVO IOOC Italy event in Calabria.
In recent times, the changes in the olive oil sector have become increasingly evident and significant, largely due to the impact of climate change and global warming, which have introduced novel and intricate challenges for traditional olive-growing countries.
Conversely, we have also observed the expansion of olive oil production in other countries, with the emergence of new competitors entering the global market with high-quality products. In light of these developments, it can be argued that EVOO is no longer constrained by geographical boundaries, nor is it subject to the authority of any single entity. Instead, it is characterised by a diverse range of excellent protagonists.
It was previously the case that the stage of world excellence in olive oil was almost an absolute monopoly of certain Italian regions, which were strong with a “Made in Italy” brand that has always been synonymous with absolute quality and exclusive value. However, there are now many more protagonists on the scene, of different origins and provenances, but united by a common feeling: high quality.
This excellence, originating from diverse global locations, was bestowed in Palmi, the epicenter of the Costa Viola, within the historic Municipal Theater, which is dedicated to the esteemed composer Nicola Manfroce.
The final act of the global event, held on Saturday 15th June 2024, saw the real stars of the competition, the producers, take centre stage.
The much-anticipated results were announced following four days of rigorous and demanding tasting at the CapoSperone Resort, attended by 25 international judges from abroad and Italy. These judges were selected from among the most esteemed professionals in the field of EVOO tasting. In recognition of their expertise and dedication, which are employed solely for the purpose of proclaiming the Best International Olive Oil 2024, we direct the reader to the relevant section.
The judges are the central figure of the competition and everything revolves around them,” says Antonio G. Lauro, President of EVO International, “because it is thanks to their careful work of evaluation that the competition can be celebrated every year. They are leading figures in the fields of extra virgin olive oil, cooking and journalism, all of them leaders in their own countries and with a track record of excellence.
All 24 international judges were gratified to observe the elevated caliber of the products presented in the competition, as well as the captivating charm of this exceptional region of Calabria, which provided them with exemplary hospitality. “Each of them,” states President Lauro, “was tasked with the considerable responsibility of evaluating nearly 700 samples, including extra virgin and flavoured olive oils, from 24 producing countries.” Ultimately, however, they returned with a small but significant portion of Calabria, comprising olfactory sensations, human interactions, geographical locations, and gustatory experiences.
The oils that participated in the competition were the result of the efforts of companies that have striven to guarantee the quality of their products. These companies have invested a considerable amount of time and effort in the field for a period of approximately one year, with the aim of offering their consumers the best possible products. Furthermore, as a gesture of appreciation for the exceptional quality of the products, President Lauro initiated a customary expression of approval for EVOO and flavoured oils that attained a minimum score of 95 out of 100.
The results were announced on Saturday, 15 June 2024, in Palmi. The event was accessible for attendance in Palmi at the “Nicola Manfroce” Municipal Theatre, or via live coverage on the EVO IOOC Italy Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as on the competition channel and YouTube, where the highlights of the competition could be reviewed.
A considerable number of participants, producers and a substantial contingent of enthusiasts, restaurateurs and stakeholders from the oil industry were in attendance.
The speech by Stefania Reggio, General Director, was addressed to consumers: “Producing excellent extra virgin olive oil is a long journey with many stages and critical moments. We have awarded the 9 best in class, producers who have distinguished themselves for excellence and quality, but not only.
However, as in sport, where sometimes a handful of hundredths of a second separates a first place from someone who is not on the podium, also in the EVO IOOC Italy competition the difference in the score is often very small.
Given that the production of EVOO is a labour of love for every producer, but also a commercial operation, it is only fitting that producers who have distinguished themselves with a product of the highest quality and who did not make it to the finals by a few points should be duly recognised. This recognition should be afforded both personally and commercially, in the form of the opportunity to promote their oil by referring to the recognition they have received.
As had been arranged, the awards ceremony was accompanied by complimentary tastings of the most highly-regarded EVOOs and flavoured oils from the competition. Subsequently, these tastings will be repeated in Italy, Greece, Brazil and other global locations as part of the competition’s planned series of promotional activities targeting consumers.
The medal table for the 592 extra virgin olive oils in the competition was notably extensive, with 430 medals bestowed in the gold and silver categories. A total of 56 medals were awarded, comprising 42 gold and 14 silver, for a total of 79 Flavoured entered into the competition.
The largest number of entries were submitted from Italy (185), representing 27.6% of the total number of products entered. As anticipated, Calabria exhibited a notable presence, with 59 oils, constituting 32% of the Italian EVOOs submitted. Subsequently, Puglia contributed 53 entries (28%), Sicily provided 31 entries (17%), and Tuscany furnished 24 entries (13%).
Italy was the most successful nation, winning a total of 139 medals (23.5%), while Turkey came second with 15% of the total medals (102 entries and 77 awards). Greece achieved 13% of the total medals (88 entries and 60 awards), while Brazil attained an exceptional result with 63 medals from 69 products entered (10.3% of the total entries). Spain also performed well, winning 56 entries and 38 medals.
In order to enhance and supplement the EVO IOOC Italy 2024 awards, medals were bestowed upon Algeria (4), Saudi Arabia (2), Argentina (11), China (2), Croatia (9), France (1), Jordan (5), Israel (20), Libya (2), Malta (1), Morocco (3), Portugal (23), Slovenia (1), South Africa (3), Tunisia (19) and the United States of America (3).
Of the 592 EVOOs, 30% were certified (PDO/PGI and organic), comprising 67 PDO/PGI and 110 organic EVOOs, while 79 were flavoured (various flavoured oils). Monovarietal EVOO constituted approximately 45% of the total, with over 180 varieties represented, reflecting the vast biodiversity observed in olive-growing regions worldwide. Multi-varietal olive oils are a significant feature of the market, with products that are increasingly appreciated and demanded by discerning consumers.
The remaining portion (55.3%) is composed of oils blended from a multitude of olive varieties (blend or coupage), exemplifying the sublime “art of blending,” whereby disparate varieties are harmoniously integrated to “create” a distinctive and exceptional product.
Today, as we have seen, there are many other Olympian gods, old and new competitors from Italy and all over Europe, who extend, embellish and complete the international elite of olive oil excellence.
The Awards in Detail
Among the world’s best oils, divided into categories and hemispheres, the Best in Class Northern Hemisphere was awarded to two Italian companies (Puglia and Abruzzo), surprisingly to two Turkish companies and a Spanish company, while the Southern Hemisphere is still dominated by Brazil with three Best in Class and the Best Flavoured EVOO, which is awarded to the best flavoured oil in the competition.
The Best International Award 2024 – North Hemisphere, reserved for the oil from the northern hemisphere that has obtained the highest score in the competition, was deservedly won by the Italian company led by Ambrogio Caramia with the multi-award winning Minerva – Tenute Il Mandrione (Italy). Mr Ambrogio and Graziana Caramia were delighted to receive the award on stage at EVO IOOC Italy.
The nominations were also of high lineage, the prerogative of Papadopoulos Olive Oil – Mythocia Olympia Early Harvest PGI (Greece), Marsicani – Viride Coratina Biologico (Italy), Azienda Agricola Piero Matarazzo – RAMARA’ (Italy) and Cumbali LTD Cumbali (Turkey).
On the other hand, the EVOO from the Brazilian company Prosperato – Prosperato Exclusivo Coratina (Brazil) received the highest score, which gives it the right to carry the Best International Award 2024 – South Hemisphere. Nominations went to Olioinversiones Glam – Garbo Coratina (Argentina), Fazendas do Azeite Sabiá – Coratina (Brazil), Estância das Oliveiras Agroindustrial – Koroneiki (Brazil), Casa Colombi Coratina (Brazil) and Essenza Agroecologico Mantikir Coratina (Brazil).
The two winning companies deservedly beat all 592 EVOOs in the competition and received the highest scores from the judges.
The Best International 2024 trio was completed by Kochen Azeites Saborizados (Brazil) with Flavoured EVOO and Mint, which took home the trophy for Best International Flavoured EVOO 2024, beating the other finalists in the category by a whisker: Laconiko Lime (Greece), Melissa-Kikizas Terra Creta Infusions Basil (Greece), Olivais Gamarra Limão Siciliano (Brazil), Gaia Oliva Ltd Tangerine (Turkey), Prosperato com Pimenta Jalapeño (Brazil) and a total of 79 flavoured oils in the competition. News of the victory reached Katya Salomão, owner of the Kochen Azeites Saborizados brand, in the early afternoon. Speaking via Skype, with tears in her eyes, Katya thanked the entire organisation and the judges for the prestigious award.
The Best of Show list continues with the best of each category in the competition. SCA. Olivarera La Purísima (Spain) in the Denominations of Origin and Geographical Indications category. The Best International DOP/IGP 2024 – North Hemisphere was won by EVOO El Empiedro DOP Priego De Córdoba, ahead of Almazaras De La Subbetica – Parqueoliva Serie Oro DOP Priego De Córdoba (Spain), Accademia Olearia – Riserva DOP Sardegna (Italy) and Azienda Agricola Piero Matarazzo – RAMARA’ (Italy).
In the category Best International Organic 2024 – North Hemisphere, for the first time after 9 years of EVO International, the Turkish company Nova Vera Gida (Turkey) wins with its flagship product Golden Harvest. Only nominations for Agrestis Soc. Coop. Agricola – Bell’Omio BIO (Italy), Marsicani – Viride Coratina Biologico (Italy), Ruggiero Mario – Federicus II (Italy) and Frantoio Cioccolini BIO (Italy), which just missed out.
Turkey continues to surprise in this edition of the competition, also taking home the trophy for the Best International Monovarietal 2024 – North Hemisphere with the company Green Gusto LTD ŞTİ (Turkey) and EVOO GREEN AMOUR, which beat the companies Estudi Urbenia – Oliric Arbequina (Spain), Marsicani – Viride Coratina Biologico (Italy), Ruggiero Mario – Federicus II (Italy), Tenute Il Mandrione – Minerva (Italy), Frantoio Cioccolini – BIO (Italy) and Liokareas Olive Oil – Liokareas High Phenolic EVOO (Greece).
The trophy for Best International Coupage 2024 – North Hemisphere was awarded to MITERA Amerius extra virgin olive oil from Mitera GmbH, based in Switzerland and produced in Italy. A very emotional Antonella Meyer-Masciulli, CEO of Mitera, received the award from the hands of the President of the City Council, Francesco Cardone. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which beat the other nominated companies, which, let us remember, were Papadopoulos Olive Oil – Mythocia Olympia Early Harvest PGI (Greece), Agrestis Soc. Coop. Agricola – Bell’Omio BIO (Italy), Azienda Agricola Piero Matarazzo – RAMARA’ (Italy), Nova Vera – Golden Harvest (Turkey) and Cumbali – CUMBALI (Turkey).
A two-way battle between Argentina and Brazil in the southern hemisphere to take home the most coveted awards.
Brazil came out on top, winning the Best International Monovarietal 2024 – Southern Hemisphere category with Fazendas do Azeite Sabiá (Brazil) and their Coratina EVOO. Margherita Siano received the trophy on behalf of Bia and Bob from Azeite Sabiá. Finalists: Solfrut – Oliovita Coratina (Argentina), Olioinversiones Glam – Garbo Coratina (Argentina), Prosperato Exclusivo Coratina (Brazil), Estância das Oliveiras Koroneiki (Brazil), Casa Colombi Coratina (Brazil) and Essenza Agroecologico Mantikir Coratina (Brazil).
The Best International Coupage 2024 – South Hemisphere category is also the prerogative of Brazil and was awarded to the Brazilian company Estância das Oliveiras Agroindustrial Ltda (Brazil). All credit to the great balance of their EVOO Estância das Oliveiras Blend Exclusivo, which convinced all the contest judges. Other nominations went to Fazendas do Azeite Sabiá Blend de Terroir (Brazil), Azeite Terras Altas (Brazil), Azeite Baeoli Blend de Safra (Brazil) and Vulcano – Vulcano (Brazil).
To complete the list of high quality products awarded at EVO IOOC Italy 2024, the Best of Country and Special Awards.
EVO IOOC 2024 Best of Country:
- Best Of Algeria: Sarl Arbaolive – L’arbaa Olive
- Best Of Argentina: Olioinversiones Glam – Garbo Coratina
- Best Of Brazil: Casa Colombi – Coratina
- Best Of Croatia: Ulja Komarija d.o.o. – Buža Sveti Martin
- Best Of Greece: Papadopoulos Olive Oil – Mythocia Olympia Early Harvest PGI
- Best Of Israel: Ptora Family Boutique – Ptora Midnight Picual
- Best Of Italy: Azienda Agricola Piero Matarazzo – Ramara’. The award, presented by jury chairman Carmelo Orlando, was accepted by Piero Matarazzo, a native of Cilento, who has been promoting his award-winning brand all over the world with sincerity, tenacity and meticulousness.
- Best Of Jordan: Al-Maida Agricultural – Maida Oliana
- Best Of Portugal: Coop. Dos Olivicultores De Murça – Porca De Murça Cordovil
- Best Of Spain: Estudi Urbenia – Oliric Arbequina. Also on stage at the Palmi Theatre was Miquel Coll, owner of the organic company, who had flown in from the island of Mallorca (Spain) to collect the coveted trophy from the hands of EVO International judge Vincenzo Melissari.
- Best Of Tunisia: Adonis Olive Oil – Domaine Adonis Chetoui
- Best Of Turkey: Cumbali LTD – Cumbali
EVO IOOC 2024 Special Awards:
- Best of Regione Calabria: Az. Agr. Arcobaleno Fam. Regenass Frisina Olio EVO FRISINA (Italy, Calabria). The trophy was collected by Anita Regenass and her son Marco Frisina and handed over by Palmi town councillor Giuseppe Magazzù.
- Ràul C. Castellani Best of South America: Essenza Agroecologico Mantikir Coratina (Brazil)
- Almendrados dulces: DOP Aceite del Bajo Aragón – APADRINAUNOLIVO.ORG – MI OLIVO (Spain, Bajo Aragon)
