THE 11TH EDITION OF EVO IOOC ITALY CONSECRATES THE GLOBAL GREEN GOLD ELITE IN PALMI

Nearly 800 EVOO and condiment samples put to the test under the press, celebrating extra virgin triumph between cultural bridges and state-of-the-art mills.

Palmi (RC) – The 11th edition of EVO IOOC Italy draws to a close with a series of verdicts that squeeze the certainties of traditional markets and crown a completely redesigned geopolitical map of taste. While Italy stands strong, holding the throne of the Northern Hemisphere, a roaring success rises from the deep Southern Hemisphere as Brazil proves that green gold no longer holds a single passport, but rather a single, stubborn dedication to absolute quality.
The Award Ceremony, hosted in the splendid setting of Palmi (Reggio Calabria), saw the participation of top-tier producers from the world’s leading olive-growing regions, including Brazil (with a massive delegation), Libya, the United States, Greece, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Turkey, and Tunisia, as well as the most renowned Italian olive-growing regions. The competition has thus confirmed the trend of global quality growth, celebrating the perfect union between local heritage and global excellence.
The official data of this eleventh edition of EVO IOOC Italy outline an extraordinary year. A total of 32 nations participated, sending a record-breaking 786 samples to the competition.
The rigorous international jury rewarded excellence with a strict selection: the global success rate reached nearly 75%, translating into 407 Gold Medals and 181 Silver Medals, for a total of 588 highly acclaimed products.
The final medal table by nation draws a true geopolitical map of green gold, dominated by three superpowers:
Italy, the undisputed queen, confirms its status as the global point of reference with 144 samples submitted (18% of the total in competition), taking home 80 Gold Medals and a total of 110 awards.
Brazil, with 139 products in competition (17% of the total), consolidated a massive presence by conquering 98 Gold Medals and 29 Silver Medals.
Turkey, with 127 entries (16% of the total), capitalised on its solid growth by earning 77 Gold Medals and 30 Silver Medals.
Outstanding performances were also recorded by Greece (91 samples, with 39 Gold and 67 total medals) and Spain (44 samples and 29 Gold Medals).
The analysis highlights a clear market polarisation toward the absolute purity of traditional Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), which represents 90% of total entries. The remaining 10% is occupied by the culinary vanguard of flavoured condiments.
Within the pure EVOO category, Monovarietals lead the rankings with 55% of preferences, while Blends (or Coupages) follow closely with 45%, representing the ultimate expression of the master miller's art in mixing different varieties to achieve a perfect, balanced sensory symphony.
In terms of sustainability and added value, certified Organic Agriculture productions account for an impressive 20% of total samples. Meanwhile, prestigious European origin certifications (PDO and PGI) represent 10% of total entries, a premium share that faithfully reflects the real distribution of these protected specialties in international markets.
This immense mosaic is crowned by a unique treasure trove of biodiversity: nearly one hundred unique olive varieties cataloged in the EVO IOOC Italy 2026 database, an agricultural heritage dominated, in terms of distribution and sensory profile, by the historic varieties Arbequina, Koroneiki, Coratina, and Frantoio.
The 11th edition of EVO IOOC Italy concludes with an extraordinary balance, writing a memorable chapter for high-end olive growing and establishing Calabria as a key hub for global quality. The event succeeded in connecting and promoting the finest expressions of world production, confirming its position as an essential point of reference for the international sector.
At the conclusion of the event, President Antonio G. Lauro expressed deep gratitude to the producers who gathered in Palmi from every corner of the world:
"Extra Virgin Olive Oil represents an authentic bridge between cultures, a universal symbol of peace, health, and extraordinary beauty. From Palmi, EVO IOOC Italy sends a clear and authoritative message to the market: absolute quality always repays, with interest, the sacrifices made by producers directly in the field."
Looking ahead, the organizational machine has already started its engines for the 12th edition of the competition: the appointment for the world's liquid gold elite is officially set for May of next year. The competition directors extend their warmest congratulations to all the winners who succeeded in distinguishing themselves in this prestigious international arena.
More information on the winners is available at: evo-iooc.it/en/competition-results-2026