South African olive oil producers will increasingly have to compete on quality, freshness, and provenance as recovering global supplies drive international prices down and see the return of cheaper imported oils to local shelves.
John Scrimgeour (middle) won the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the olive industry. With him are Wendy Petersen (left), CEO of the SA Olive Association (SA Olive), and Richard Allen, chairperson of SA Olive. Image: Supplied
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This was the message from Richard Allen, chairperson of the SA Olive Association (SA Olive), at the 2026 SA Olive Awards, held in Paarl on 15 September.
Allen said the global olive oil market had changed dramatically following the severe supply constraints experienced between 2022 and 2024.
According to him, International Olive Council figures showed that world olive oil production reached about 2,76 million tons in the 2022/23 crop year before declining to roughly 2,59 million tons in 2023/24.
Production then rebounded sharply to a record 3,57 million ton in 2024/25, while 2025/26 production is estimated at around 3,44 million tons, down just 4% year-on-year.
Prices fall sharply
The recovery has had a dramatic impact on prices. Producer prices in Spain, an important benchmark for the international olive oil industry, are currently around €4,1/kg (roughly R76,5/kg) compared with around €9/kg (R168/kg) in January and February 2024, Allen said.
He added that import parity for olive oil in South Africa was currently around R75/ℓ, resulting in the return of imported brands at highly competitive prices.
“For consumers, that’s a welcome relief,” he said, adding that improved affordability had also supported a recovery in international consumption.
Pressure on local production
For South African producers, however, lower international prices present a significant challenge, particularly for smaller operations that struggle to compete with imported oils on price.
Allen warned producers against banking on another international supply shortage to lift prices substantially.
“These price levels are probably going to stay,” he said.
He expects import parity to potentially trade within a range of roughly R70/ℓ to R100/ℓ, meaning local producers need to structure their businesses to remain viable at these levels.
This will require continued improvements in efficiency throughout the production chain, from orchard management to harvesting and processing.
Allen said South Africa cannot with the huge volumes produced in Europe, nor should it attempt to do so.
“What we can do, and what we already do, is win on the things that volume can’t buy: quality, freshness, and provenance,” he noted.
Some of the EVOO Award winners.
Medal winners
A total of 96 South African extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) received medals at the 2026 SA Olive Awards, comprising 33 gold, 59 silver, and four bronze awards.
De Rustica Olive Estate collected five gold medals, while Lions Creek Olive Estate, Morgenster, and Willow Creek each received three. Andante, Babylonstoren, Mardouw, Tokara, and Vyversrus Farms each received two.
Gold medals were also awarded to EVOOs from Brown Badger, Darling Olives, Het Vlock Casteel, Kielder South Africa, Kleinbergskloof, Pètra Olives, Greenleaf Olive Company, Slo Harvest, and Terre Paisible.
Allen said the breadth of the winners was significant, as it showed that South Africa’s reputation for high-quality olive oil was not being carried by just a handful of producers.
“The quality bar across the entire industry is high,” he noted, adding that the challenge now is to combine that quality with efficient, well-run orchards capable of remaining profitable in a much more competitive international market.
Celebrating excellence
The event also recognised individuals who have made an important contribution to the South African olive industry.
Denise Bergman of Het Vlock Casteel in Riebeek Kasteel was named the 2026 Agri-worker of the Year in recognition of her expertise and dedication to the industry.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to John Scrimgeour for his contribution to the industry over more than two decades.
Scrimgeour spent 24 years as farm manager at Buffet Olives, served as chairperson of SA Olive from 2002 to 2005, and has been a member of the organisation’s technical committee since 1996. He is also an honorary member of SA Olive and continues to share his experience with established and emerging olive farmers.
Denise Bergman from Het Vlock Casteel in Riebeek Kasteel won the SA Olive 2026 Agri-worker of the Year award.
Gold medal winners
PRODUCER
STYLE
NAME OF EVOO
Andante Olives Porterville
Delicate
Andante Delicate
Andante Olives Porterville
Intense
Andante Intenso
Babylonstoren
Medium
Babylonstoren Coratina 20266
Babylonstoren
Medium
Babylonstoren Blend 2026
Brown Badger
Medium
Tero (Piqual)
Darling Olives
Medium
Evoo
De Rustica Olive Estate
Medium
De Rustica Favolosa
De Rustica Olive Estate
Medium
De Rustica Chef’s Reserve Medium
De Rustica Olive Estate
Medium
De Rustica Chemlali
De Rustica Olive Estate
Medium
De Rustica Koreneiki
De Rustica Olive Estate
Intense
De Rustica Coratina
Het Vlock Casteel
Delicate
Het Vlock Casteel Mission
Kielder South Africa
Medium
Premium Selection Evoo
Kleinbergskloof
Medium
Kleinbergskloof Director’s Blend
Lions Creek Olive Estate
Medium
Coratina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Lions Creek Olive Estate
Medium
Karoo Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Lions Creek Olive Estate
Medium
Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Mardouw Investments ZA
Medium
Mardouw Premium Medium
Mardouw Investments ZA
Medium
Mardouw Favolosa
Morgenster 1711
Delicate
Morgenster Delicate Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Morgenster 1711
Medium
Morgenster Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Morgenster 1711
Medium
Morgenster Don Carlo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pètra Olives
Medium
Petra Olives
Pex Investments trading as Greenleaf
Medium
Greenleaf Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Slo Harvest
Medium
Mission
Terre Paisible
Delicate
Terre Paisible Delicate
Tokara
Medium
Tokara Mission Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Tokara
Intense
Tokara Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Vyversrus Farms
Medium
Buffelsdrift Farm Frantoio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Vyversrus Farms
Intense
Buffelsdrift Farm Coratina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Willow Creek Olive Products
Delicate
Nuy Valley
Willow Creek Olive Products
Medium
Estate Blend
Willow Creek Olive Products
Intense
Directors’ Reserve
Silver medal winners
PRODUCER
STYLE
NAME OF EVOO
Andante Olives Porterville
Medium
Andante Mezzo
Andante Olives Porterville
Medium
Andante Forte
Anysbos
Medium
Extra Virgin Cold Extracted
Anysbos
Intense
Extra Virgin Cold Extracted
Babylonstoren
Medium
Babylonstoren Frantoio 2026
Bodhi Holdings
Medium
Bodhi Park Evoo
Brown Badger
Medium
Tero (Don Carlo)
Brown Badger
Medium
Tero (Coratina)
Brown Badger
Medium
Tero (Sizzle)
Brown Badger
Medium
Tero (Koroneiki)
Darling Olives
Delicate
Fynbossie
Darling Olives
Medium
‘Hartklop’ Limited Edition
Darling Olives
Medium
Estate Blend
De Pakhuys
Medium
De Pakhuys
Denlandia Boerdery
Medium
Denneboom Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Het Vlock Casteel
Medium
Het Vlock Casteel Frantoio
Kleinbergskloof
Delicate
Kleinbergskloof Estate Blend
Kleinood / De Boerin
Intense
De Boerin Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Klipvlei Olive Farm
Medium
Klipvlei Olives
Kloovenburg Olives
Medium
Kloovenburg Cold Extracted Extra Virgin Estate Olive Oil
Konstanz Farm
Intense
Herstein Olive Oil
Kransfontein Estate
Medium
Kransfontein Director’s Reserve
Kransfontein Estate
Medium
Kransfontein Mission
Lamara 2 Rivers
Medium
Lamara Frantoio, Coratina, Leccino, Mission Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Lamara 2 Rivers
Medium
Lamara Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Lions Creek Olive Estate
Delicate
Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Mardouw Investments ZA
Delicate
Mardouw XXV Delicate
Mardouw Investments ZA
Delicate
Mardouw XXV Delicate Limited Edition
Mardouw Investments ZA
Delicate
Mardouw Premium Delicate
Mardouw Investments ZA
Medium
Mardouw XXV Medium
Mardouw Investments ZA
Medium
Mardouw XXV Medium Limited Edition
Mardouw Investments ZA
Intense
Mardouw XXV Intense
Mount Ceder
Delicate
Mount Ceder Evoo
Rio Largo Olive Estate
Delicate
Rio Largo Delicate
Rio Largo Olive Estate
Medium
Rio Largo Mediterranean Market
Rio Largo Olive Estate
Intense
Rio Largo Delft
Nabarun Estate
Delicate
Nabarun Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Oakhurst Olives
Delicate
Oakhurst – Delicate
Oakhurst Olives
Medium
Oakhurst – Special Reserve
Olive Boutique
Delicate
Olive Boutique Frantoio Mission
Olive Boutique
Medium
Olive Boutique Frantoio
Oudewerfskloof Olive Farm
Medium
The Hessequa
Pex Investments trading as Greenleaf
Intense
Saint Sebastian Bay Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Piquetberg Olive Oil
Medium
Piquetberg Olive Oil – Coratina
Piquetberg Olive Oil
Medium
Piquetberg Olive Oil – Mission
Piquetberg Olive Oil
Medium
Piquetberg Olive Oil – Signature Blend
Piquetberg Olive Oil
Medium
Piquetberg Olive Oil – Frantoio
Prince Albert Olives
Delicate
Prince Albert Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Rockhaven Farm
Medium
Rockhaven Farm Evoo
Serrado Olive Estate
Medium
Serrado Olive Estate
Terre Paisible
Medium
Terre Paisible Modérée
Terre Paisible
Intense
Terre Paisible Aromatique
Tokara
Medium
Tokara Multi-Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Tokara
Medium
Tokara Woolworths Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Tokara
Medium
Tokara Frantoio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Wildekrans Trust
Medium
Wildekrans EVOO
Willow Creek Olive Products
Medium
Frantoio Single Cultivar
Zoetigheyd Farm
Medium
Zoetigheyd Farm Fresh
Zoetigheyd Farm
Medium
Zoetigheyd Frantoio
Bronze medal winners
PRODUCER
STYLE
NAME OF EVOO
Kleinbergskloof
Delicate
Kleinbergskloof Family Reserve
Kransfontein Estate
Medium
Kransfontein Frantoio
Kransfontein Estate
Medium
Kransfontein Coratina
Zoetigheyd Farm
Medium
Zoetigheyd Blend
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