In an industry dominated by Mediterranean giants such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, which collectively produce about 95% of the world’s olive oil, South African producers are once again proving the country can compete with the very best on the global stage.
According to the SA Olive Association (SA Olive), Andante Olive Estate in Porterville, Western Cape, secured two gold awards at the 2025 New York International Olive Oil Competition. Its Andante Intenso Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) was also ranked 12th globally by bestoliveoils.org, placing it among the world’s most highly regarded olive oils.
Lions Creek Estate near Worcester added to South Africa’s success by winning a gold medal at the New York International Olive Oil Competition, along with double gold, gold, and silver awards at the Aurora International Taste Challenge.
Babylonstoren in the Drakenstein Valley also stood out internationally, claiming Best Blend of Show, as well as a premium gold medal and a gold medal at the Olio Nuovo Days Southern Edition in Paris, France.
De Rustica, located near De Rust in the Klein Karoo, achieved exceptional results across multiple competitions, winning gold and double gold medals at the New York International Olive Oil Competition, the Aurora International Taste Challenge, the Dubai Olive Oil Competition, and the Carthage 100C International Olive Oil Competition.
The estate was also recognised as second best in the world for its Coratina at both the Evooleum Top 100 Awards and the Mario Solinas Quality Award, the latter hosted by the International Olive Council.
Mardouw Olive Estate in the Breede River Valley collected a string of international accolades, including the Best International Award for the Southern Hemisphere at the EVO IOOC in Italy, multiple Grand Prestige and Prestige Gold awards at the Olivinus International in Argentina, and Platinum and Gold medals at the London International Olive Oil Contest.
Other producers, including Willow Creek in the Nuy Valley, Tokara near Stellenbosch, Rio Largo in the Scherpenheuwel Valley between Worcester and Robertson, and Morgenster at the foothills of the Helderberg in Somerset West, also secured top rankings and gold, platinum, or elite awards at competitions in London, Italy, China, Dubai, and Tunisia.
Speaking in a press release, Nick Wilkinson, owner of Rio Largo, said the estate enters selected, reputable international olive oil competitions each year in the countries and regions where its oils are sold.
“These competitions are a good barometer for how we compare with other suppliers servicing the same markets. The results motivate us to continually strive for perfection in the creation of extra-virgin olive oil and give credibility to our product, assuring consumers they are buying the ‘real deal’,” he said.
Gerbrand Nijman, CEO of Mardouw, said consistency is key to long-term success: “To win a prize is great. To win many prizes is fantastic. But to do so year after year says something about the consistency and long-standing commitment of Mardouw.”
Rob Still, owner of De Rustical said South Africa might be small in terms of global volume, but its international success is significant. “The outstanding performance of De Rustica is helping South Africa gain recognition as a top producer of premium extra-virgin olive oils,” he said in the press release.
Wendy Petersen, CEO of SA Olive, said the accolades from the world’s leading olive oil competitions reinforced the exceptional quality of locally produced EVOO and showcased South Africa’s growing influence on the global olive oil landscape.
