South African Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) producers are proving, once again, that quality, not scale, is what defines true excellence.

In 2025, local olive farms earned some of the highest honours at major international competitions, outshining global heavyweights despite South Africa representing only 0.99% of the global olive oil market in 2024/2025.

In an industry dominated by Mediterranean powerhouses such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, countries responsible for roughly 95% of global olive oil production, South Africa’s achievements are extraordinary. For comparison, in 2020, Spain produced over 1.8 billion litres of olive oil, while South Africa produces around 1.6 million litres per annum currently, of which 90% is consumed locally.

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.

International Awards and Distinctions

SA Olive is delighted to highlight below a few of the 2025 international accolades won by SA’s producers of high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil. While global awards often favour larger countries that submit hundreds of entries, South Africa’s producers continue to triumph and promote national pride.

ANDANTE OLIVE PORTERVILLE

  • New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) – Gold Award (Andante Intenso)
  • New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) – Gold Award (Andante Forte)
  • #42 globally
  • #5 in the Southern Hemisphere
  • #1 in South Africa
  • bestoliveoils.org – Most Awarded Brands – #12 globally (Andante Intenso)

BABYLONSTOREN

  • Olio Nuovo Days Southern Edition (Paris) – Best Blend of Show (Blend 2025)
  • Olio Nuovo Days Southern Edition (Paris) – Premium Gold Medal (Coratina 2025)
  • Olio Nuovo Days Southern Edition (Paris) – Gold Medal (Frantoio 2025)

DE RUSTICA ESTATE

  • NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition – Gold (Coratina)
  • Aurora International Taste Challenge – Double Gold (Coratina); Gold (Medium)
  • Evooleum Top 100 Awards – 97/100, Second Best in the World (Coratina)
  • Dubai Olive Oil Competition – Gold (Coratina); Gold (Medium)
  • Carthage 100C International Olive Oil Competition – Double Gold (Coratina)
  • Mario Solinas Quality Award – Second Best in the World (Coratina)
  • Flos Olei 2025 – 93/100 (Coratina)

LIONS CREEK ESTATE

Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • Gold: New York International Olive Oil Competition
  • Double Gold: Aurora International Taste Challenge

Karoo Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • Silver: Aurora International Taste Challenge

Frantoio Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • Silver: SA Olive Awards
  • Gold: Aurora International Taste Challenge

MARDOUW OLIVE ESTATE

  • EVO IOOC (Italy) – Best International Award, Southern Hemisphere: XXV Intense recognised as Best International Southern Hemisphere entry; XXV Medium and XXV Limited Edition also awarded Gold
  • Olivinus International Competition of EVOO (Argentina) – Best of South Africa; Three Grand Prestige Gold, One Prestige Gold, One Gold; Best Monovarietal, EVOO Series Design: XXV Delicate, XXV Medium, XXV Medium Limited, XXV Intense
  • Japan Olive Oil Prize – Four Gold Medals: XXV Delicate, XXV Medium, XXV Medium Limited Edition, XXV Intense
  • London IOOC – Platinum & Two Golds: XXV Medium Platinum; XXV Intense and XXV Medium Limited Golds
  • Carthage IOOC (Tunisia) – Three Double Gold Medals: XXV Medium, XXV Medium Limited Edition, XXV Intense
  • Berlin / Global Olive Oil Awards (GOOA) – Double Gold & Elite Awards: XXV Medium and XXV Intense
  • Olio Nuovo Days Southern Hemisphere (France) – Two Premium Golds and One Gold: XXV Medium, XXV Medium Limited Edition, XXV Intense
  • Athena IOOC (Greece) – Double Gold: XXV Medium
  • New York IOOC Southern Hemisphere – Gold: XXV Medium

MORGENSTER OLIVE ESTATE

Flos Olei Guide 2026 – 99/100 (Blue Label EVOO)

RIO LARGO OLIVE ESTATE

  • Amsterdam International Olive Oil Competition (AIOOC) – Platinum Medal & Best in Class
  • Flos Olei (Italy) – 98/100
  • Olive Japan International EVOO Competition – Gold Medal ×2
  • Olio Nuovo Days – Paris – Premium Gold Medal; Premium Gold Distinction; Top 10 Ranking
  • NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition – Gold Award; Listed among the Best Olive Oils of 2025

RIVERBEND FARM

Aurora International Taste Challenge – Gold

TOKARA    

  • Aurora International – Double Gold
  • Flos Olei – 98 Points
  • NYIOOC – Gold

WILLOW CREEK ESTATE  

Estate Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • EVOO International Olive Oil Contest Italy – Gold
  • London IOOC 2025 – Gold
  • 20th China International Olive Oil Competition – Gold
  • Canada International Olive Oil Competition – Gold
  • Masters of Olive Oil International Contest (Best from Africa Award) – 2nd Prize
  • Masters of Olive Oil International Contest (Quality Standard Award) – Gold
  • TerraOlivo Mediterranean International Olive Oil Competition – Grand Prestige Gold
  • Dubai Olive Oil Competition (Declared Ultra-Premium EVOO) – Gold
  • OLIVINUS 2025 – Prestigio Oro (83 points)

Director’s Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • London IOOC 2025 – Gold
  • 20th China International Olive Oil Competition – Gold
  • Masters of Olive Oil International Contest (Best from Africa Award) – 1st Prize
  • Masters of Olive Oil International Contest (Quality Standard Award) – Gold
  • TerraOlivo Mediterranean International Olive Oil Competition – Grand Prestige Gold
  • Dubai Olive Oil Competition (Declared Ultra-Premium EVOO) – Gold
  • OLIVINUS 2025 – Gran Prestigio Oro (93 points)

FLAVOURED EVOOS

Basil Flavoured EVOO

  • London IOOC 2025 – Platinum

Lemon Flavoured EVOO

  • London IOOC 2025 – Platinum

Jalapeno Flavoured EVOO

  • London IOOC 2025 – Gold

Garlic Flavoured EVOO

  • London IOOC 2025 – Silver

This is what some of these winning SA producers have to say:

Andante Olive Porterville:
Jan Hendrik Basson, Master Miller and General Manager says: “International awards affirm the quality we strive for – from the orchards through every stage of production until the finest Extra Virgin Olive Oil is sealed in the bottle. They confirm that careful farming, disciplined processing, and meticulous attention to detail truly matter. Competing on a global stage allows us to benchmark our work objectively against the world’s leading producers, while reinforcing the credibility and rigour of our local competitions. Most importantly, this recognition drives us to continually refine our standards and remain unwavering in our commitment to excellence.”

Willow Creek:
Eleanor Stoker of Willow Creek says: “These local and international awards are more than just accolades; they are a profound validation of our belief that excellence is in our nature. They help celebrate the passion of our team and farm, and the success of our Guild of Groves initiative which demonstrates that collaboration enriches the quality of South African EVOO. We accept these honours with deep gratitude. They fuel our ambition to continue growing and sharing the goodness of our brand with the world.”

Tokara:
Karl Lambour, Tokara General Manager says: “Receiving these awards for our 2025 Tokara olive oil is a wonderful affirmation of our collective dedication to quality and our passion for the craft of olive oil making. This recognition charges our commitment to continue pursuing excellence from our groves to the table.”

Mardouw:
The CEO of Mardouw, Gerbrand Nijman says: “To win a prize is great, to win so many prizes is fantastic. But to do this year after year tells something about the consistency and long-term commitment of this farm.” He adds: “this is the first time for a South African Olive Oil to be recognized as one of the very best in the world.”

Rio Largo:
Rio Largo Master Miller, Nick Wilkinson says: “Rio Largo enters specific reputable International Olive Oil competitions each year in countries and regions where we sell our oils. They are a good barometer for how we compare with other suppliers servicing the same markets. The results are a motivation in themselves to continually strive for perfection in the creation of perfect extra virgin olive oil. Our awards give credibility to our product and assurance to consumers that they are buying “the real deal” with a quality point comparison to our competitors.

Lastly, there is a feel-good factor for the whole Rio Largo team that we can compete with the best of the best internationally.”

Morgenster:
Morgenster owner, Federica Bertrand says: “Each award that Morgenster wins affirms the passion, craftsmanship, and commitment that go into every drop of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil, honouring both our Italian heritage and our Helderberg home. We are privileged to be acknowledged on the international stage alongside some of the world’s leading extra virgin olive oil producers, a recognition that inspires us to continue striving for producing EVOOs of uncompromising quality.”

And, of course, Wendy Petersen, CEO of SA Olive, shared her pride in the industry’s accomplishments: “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.”