The 14th edition, of the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Contest – CA Ovibeja Prize, was organized by ACOS – Associação de Agricultores do Sul, with collaboration of Casa do Azeite – Associação do Azeite de Portugal, in Alentejo of Portugal. It is positioned as the 1st best in the world along with the prestigious “Mario Solinas”. In the contest participated high quality extra virgin olive oils from all over the world. A great number of olive oil tasters were presented along with influencers and journalists.
Casa do Azeite took this great opportunity and organised simultaneously on the 3rd and 4th of April, in Alentejo of Portugal at Vila Galé Club de Campo Hotel, the 1st Capacity building events of OliveOilMedNet project with the topic “Authenticity of extra vergin olive oil”, aspiring to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders in the olive oil sector with Mrs. Mariana Matos project manager of Casa Do Azeite as moderator in both events.
The 1st digital Peer-learning event was organised hybrid on the 3rd of April. Project partners presented the OliveOIlMedNet project and the project’s Preliminary Study regarding the current situation of olive oil sector in project’s participating countries. Also, they explained the authenticity certification model and the authenticity digital tool that is being developed in the frame of the project. Stakeholders that participated in the event discussed with project partners and shared their knowledge and experience about the topic. A Researcher from the University Paris expressed his opinion and the Regional Chamber of Agriculture of Corsica presented the authenticity of extra virgin olive oil in Corsica, while olive oil mills from Greece and France took the floor and discussed about the authenticity of local olive oil production.
The 1st Demonstration event was organised on the 4th of April in the end of the 14th International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Contest. In presence of olive oil tasters, influencers and journalists. Preveza Chamber presented the OliveOilMedNet project, ELGO DIMITRA explained the authenticity certification model of the project and University of Haen stressed the necessity of implementation of the sustainable growing and olive oil production methodologies. Finaly, the journalist Edgardo Pacheco presented 2 local olive oil varieties: Galega and Cobrancosa and Mr. Francisco Pavao, representative of APPITAD guided participants to a tasting session.
The OliveOilMedNet project is implemented under the Euro-Med Program and its partners are focused on promotion of sustainability and authenticity in the olive oil sector, while also increasing cooperation and capacities of the 4helix stakeholders.
