olive groves and hills in Crete

In Commonwealth nations on both sides of the Atlantic, Greek olive oils were honored recently for their high quality and health benefits. At the London International Olive Oil Competition (IOOC), Greek olive oils captured 211 awards, far more than any of the 32 other countries winning prizes. At the Canada IOOC, Greeks also came out ahead with 66 awards.

A dark gray bottle of Goutis Estate Miller's Blend olive oil near a bowl of cookies, in the grass with wildflowers

Competing with 816 entries from 27 countries, Greek olive oil producers earned 55 awards at the 2022 edition of Olive Japan—the third largest number of prizes, after Spain and Italy. Capturing an impressive 5 gold awards and 4 silvers, Goutis Estate also won the Best of Greece distinction this year, while several other Greek companies won multiple prizes.

Eftychis Androulakis happily raising his arms above the olive sorting machine in the olive mill

At this year’s Anatolian International Olive Oil Competition in Turkey, Greek extra virgin olive oils and Greek flavored olive oils won 21 silver awards, 18 golds, and 2 Monovarietal Best in Class awards (for Pamako, which was also judged Best of Greece, and for Terra Creta). In the second year of this competition, 302 samples were evaluated by 25 judges.

Terra Creta's olive mill, surrounded by olive groves, with hills and mountains in the background

With 736 olive oils from 26 countries competing at the EVO International Olive Oil Contest (EVO IOOC) in Italy, Greek olive oils from both new and established companies took home 78 awards. Judged by 23 expert tasters from 11 countries, Greek extra virgin olive oils received 53 awards, while Greek flavored olive oils claimed 25 medals at this competition.

Terra Creta's olive mill

Competing with 563 olive oils from 22 countries, Greek olive oils captured 176 awards at the 7th Athena International Olive Oil Competition this year. In Sitia, Crete, 30 judges from 12 countries evaluated almost equal numbers of samples from Greece and abroad, with the results suggesting that the quality of Greek olive oil continues to improve each year.

an olive grove bathed in sunset light, with hills in the background, and the words "Mediterre Eurofood SA" in the middle of the photo, over the scenery

At the 27th edition of the BIOL International Prize, Greek organic extra virgin olive oils were awarded 4 extra gold medals and 11 golds. Many consider BIOL the largest, most important contest dedicated to organic olive oil. This year, 500 olive oils from 18 countries were judged by 30 experts from 12 nations. Mediterre Eurofood was the top Greek winner.

2 bottles of Laconiko olive oil in the foreground on the left, and in the background a man tasting olive oil

At the 23rd Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition in 2022, 517 olive oil samples were submitted by 246 producers based in 16 countries. Although this longstanding contest in California is not one of the major showcases for Greek olive oils, producers of Greek extra virgin olive oils and flavored olive oils took home dozens of awards. 

Cretan olive oil competition winners posing at the front of a room full of chairs

In the 8th edition of the Cretan Olive Oil Competition, 56 companies submitted 84 extra virgin olive oils from all over the Greek island of Crete. In the past, many winners have gone on to claim awards in international olive oil contests, so the results of this strict regional competition – with only three awards per category – are considered noteworthy.

A woman and a man with microphones standing in front of a large Olive Japan banner

Olive Japan is one of the largest, most reputable international olive oil competitions. In 2021, its tenth year, 811 olive oils from 27 countries competed—the most ever, and the most in any olive oil contest in Asia or Oceania. In 2022, its scrupulous judging, educational efforts, and consumer outreach will continue to benefit both producers and consumers.

a bottle of Terra Creta Grand Cru olive oil next to a plate of food

The EVOO World Ranking (EVOOWR) designated 95 Greek olive oils “EVOOs of the Year” for 2021. Terra Creta’s Grand Cru was ranked the second best extra virgin olive oil in the world, joining 21 other Greek olive oils among EVOOWR’s Top 100 worldwide. Ranked fourth in the world, Mediterre Eurofood S.A. was one of three Greek companies among the world’s Top 10.    

Diamantis Pierrakos with harvested olives behind him on nets in the olive grove

At the 2021 edition of the Olivinus international olive oil competition in Argentina, Greek olive oils claimed 52 of the 243 awards. Competing with 419 olive oils from 17 countries, Greek companies distinguished themselves at the largest olive oil competition in the Southern Hemisphere, a contest many also consider the most important in South America.

the words "London IOOC 2021 Europe's recognizable competition" with a photo of an olive grove behind some of the text, and a dark green border behnd some of it

At the 2021 edition of the London International Olive Oil Competitions (IOOCs), prizes were awarded for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality, infused olive oil flavor, EVOOs’ health benefits, and package design. With 924 entries from 35 countries judged by an international jury of 28 tasters, Greek companies took home 233 awards, including 20 platinums.  

A banner ad with the words "Canada IOOC 2021 Olive Oil Contest," next to olive oil pouring out of a bottle

In its inaugural year, the Canada International Olive Oil Competition (IOOC) attracted 411 extra virgin olive oils and flavored olive oils from 20 countries. Fourteen judges from nine different nations evaluated the oils, judging Greece worthy of 87 medals, more than any other country. This included six Platinum awards for oils produced by four companies.

Olive Temple workers sorting harvested olives in the grove

At the 2021 Athena International Olive Oil Competition (Athena IOOC), Greece earned an impressive 179 awards: 18 Special awards, 9 Double Golds, 49 Golds, 52 Silvers, and 51 Bronze medals. A newcomer to international competitions, A.M.G. Karabelas, won the Best of Greece award for Laurel & Flame Fresh extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) from near Ancient Olympia.

a bottle of Sakellaropoulos Organic Farms' Oleastron flavored olive oil on a table

Greek extra virgin olive oils earned 66 quality awards at the 9th edition of the Japan Olive Oil Prize in Tokyo: 1 Best of Greece, 12 Best in Class, 32 Golds, and 21 Silvers. In a competition with 467 entries from 20 countries, Greece also took home 24 awards for flavored olive oils, including the Best of Flavored prize, plus the Best of Polyphenols award.

A bottle of Mediterre Alea olive oil on the right, and the words "Best of Greece" and "Olive Japan" to the left of it, with the competition logo

Competing with 811 olive oils from 27 countries, Greek companies took home 77 medals from Olive Japan 2021: 19 Gold awards and 58 Silvers. In its tenth year, this international olive oil competition attracted more contestants than ever before. The top Greek winner was Mediterre Eurofood SA, with the Best of Greece award, six Gold medals, and two Silvers.

a bottle of Sakellaropoulos Organic Farms' Flavored Gourmet Enigma olive oil on a table

At the sixth edition of the EVO International Olive Oil Competition (EVO IOOC) in Italy, 112 Greek olive oils were awarded for their excellent flavors and aromas. Terra Creta’s Grand Cru Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive Oil was ranked Best of Greece, while Sakellaropoulos Organic Farms’ Enigma Gourmet was judged the contest’s Best International Flavored Oil.

a bottle of Terra Creta Grand Cru extra virgin olive oil lying on its side next to a glass of olive oil, with a white plate full of colorful vegetables to the left

For the first time in thirteen years, a Greek olive oil company won first prize at the Mario Solinas Quality Award, which many consider the world’s most prestigious olive oil contest. Terra Creta’s Grand Cru extra virgin olive oil captured First Prize in the “mild green fruitiness” category. Another Greek company, Agriston, was one of just ten finalists.

Kyklopas Ages extra virgin olive oil being poured from a black bottle into a clear glass dish, with its special box to the left

Greek companies captured 10 Extra Gold medals and 13 Golds at the BIOL International Prize in Italy. Many consider BIOL the world’s most important international competition for organic extra virgin olive oils. Prize-winning organic oils from several olive varieties and various parts of Greece demonstrated Greeks’ commitment to both quality and our planet.

A blue olive oil tasting glass among olive branches; on the glass are the letters CIOOC and the words Canada International Olive Oil Competition in white, to the right of the competition logo

This year, there is a new way for olive oil producers and companies to attract the attention of Canadian consumers and buyers worldwide: the Canada International Olive Oil Competition (IOOC). As organizer George Kouvelis says, “for those ready to expand globally, Canada may be an ideal country in which to start. The word ‘Canada’ is a global trademark.”

a bottle of Terra Creta Grand Cru extra virgin olive oil between a plate of delicacies and the EVOOWR Top 10 badge

For the first time, a Greek extra virgin olive oil was ranked in the Top Ten worldwide by the EVOO World Ranking (WR). Terra Creta’s Grand Cru earned the first of Greece’s 24 spots on the 2020 list of the Top 100 EVOOs of the World. Excelling with Koroneiki and flavored olive oils, Greece more than doubled its awards and EVOOs of the Year compared to 2019.

a bottle of Hypereleon extra virgin olive oil, with olive olive oil from it being poured into a spoon

Are you looking for food that is both tasty and nutritious? Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the perfect choice. With scientists finding more evidence for EVOO’s health benefits all the time, international olive oil competitions have begun to present awards for healthy elements as well as flavor. In 2020, Greek EVOOs earned many awards in both categories.

  1. Greek Flavored Olive Oils Capture Top International Awards
  2. Top Award Winning Greek EVOO Companies Discuss 2020 Success
  3. First Awards for Fresh Greek Olive Oil at 2019 Biolnovello
  4. Greek Olive Oils Shine at Olivinus Competition in Argentina

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