The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food launches the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils of Catalonia Awards

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food has launched the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils of Catalonia Awards to recognise the highest-quality extra virgin olive oils produced in the country, highlighting their sensory qualities as a reflection of their excellent attributes.

The initiative aims to promote knowledge of the product among Catalan society and support its promotion, marketing and consumption, both in food retail and in restaurants.

Participants and requirements

All producing, bottling or marketing companies registered in Catalonia's Register of Agricultural and Food Industries (RIAAC), with registered office and olive groves in Catalonia, may take part. The oils submitted must comply with European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2104. Oils with incorrect labelling or labelling that does not comply with current rules will not be accepted.

Samples will be collected by a specialist company that will visit the mills and take two 500 ml samples, identified and sealed with a traceability system to guarantee their integrity.

Oils may compete for several awards, provided they meet the requirements of the relevant categories.

The awards

The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils of Catalonia Awards have eight categories and will grant a total of sixty-eight prizes:

• Oils from large producers (more than 3,000 litres):
  • Intense Green Fruity, Medium, Light and Ripe: the five best in each category.
• Oils from small producers (from 100 to 3,000 litres):
  • Intense Green Fruity, Medium, Light and Ripe: the five best in each category.
• Organic oils: the five best, certified by the Catalan Council for Organic Agricultural Production (CCPAE).
• Single-variety oils: the best oil of each variety submitted.
• Oils recovering native varieties: the three best.
• Best pairing: the three oils with the best culinary combinations.
• Best packaging: the three oils with the most creative packaging.
• Ten best oils: the ten highest-scoring oils.

Jury and winners

The oils will be assessed by a jury of specialists in the different categories. First, a group of tasters from the Official Panel of Catalan Virgin Olive Oils will assess sensory qualities. Another jury, for packaging, will be made up of members of the Directorate General for Agri-food Companies, Barcelona Centre de Disseny and the Packaging Cluster. A third jury, for best pairing, will include representatives of the Directorate General for Agri-food Companies, the Alícia Foundation and the restaurant sector.

Winners will receive a prize and a certificate, presented at the Catalan EVOO Night gala.

Action plan to promote extra virgin olive oil

The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils Awards form part of the Olive Oil Action Plan 2024-2026, launched by the Department of Climate Action to support Catalonia's olive oil sector. The plan includes five lines of action and eight measures, such as creating a guide to the best oils, holding the gala and promoting olive oil's environmental and social benefits. It also seeks to encourage training in the sector to improve quality and production techniques.

The plan also envisages promoting olive oil tourism and sustainable production and encouraging the purchase of Catalan extra virgin olive oil in canteen and catering services, thereby helping to promote Catalan cuisine.

Finally, the Department will support the creation of the Catalan Institute of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a body that would coordinate the sector's initiatives to improve the quality and competitiveness of olive oil in Catalonia.