Bring out your best bread and balsamic vinegar! SA’s extra virgin olive oils are celebrating an impressive spread of international wins for 2025.
South Africa (05 December 2025) – South Africa doesn’t have hundreds of years in olive-growing legacy like the Mediterranean countries do, but that hasn’t stopped local producers from receiving incredible international accolades, time and time again.
Olive oil is practically a religion across Spain, Italy, and Greece. They make about 95% of the world’s olive oil. Spain alone produces over 1.8 billion litres a year. South Africa produces 1.6 million litres.
Yet, our local extra virgin olive oils keep slipping away with international gold.
This year, South Africa claimed some of its biggest international wins to date. No less than nine local producers received global stamps of approval for more than 50 award-winning olive oils.
Babylostern picked up Best Blend of Show in Paris. De Rustica earned a spread of wins, including Top 2 in the world at Evooleum and a Mario Solinas Silver. Lions Creek, Mardouw, Rio Largo, Morgenster, Riverbend, Tokara and Willow Creek all brought home Golds, Double Golds, Platinums and Best in Class awards from Europe, the US, the Middle East, Asia and South America.
“This international success highlights a simple truth – South Africa’s EVOO is globally competitive because it is crafted to the highest standards, a quality further affirmed by Commitment to Compliance (CTC) Seal. The SA Olive CTC seal ensures every bottle meets strict criteria for authenticity, purity, freshness, flavour, and sensory excellence, allowing South African oils to stand out and to also provide consumers with a quality assurance.” shares SA Olive.
Quality is everything when it comes to olive oil.
Unlike refined oil, extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed and made without any heat or chemical processing. This process preserves all of the natural antioxidants, flavours and health benefits that olive oil is known for. That purity can only be fully guaranteed if producers follow strict standards, and that’s where the CTC seal matters.
It reassures us, consumers, that what we’re buying is the real deal. It’s the stamp of approval that says olive oil hasn’t been diluted, tampered with, or stripped of the compounds that make it both healthier and far better tasting.
Locally, we’re spoiled for choice.
“These accolades from the world’s leading olive oil competitions reinforce the exceptional quality of locally produced EVOO and showcase South Africa’s growing influence on the global olive oil landscape. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to every producer whose dedication has earned international acclaim this year.” shares Wendy Petersen, CEO of SA Olive.
Sources: Supplied
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Dining and Cooking