De Rustica Olive Estate has made South African olive oil history by becoming the first local producer to take the Top Prize at the International Olive Council (IOC) Mario Solinas Quality Awards within the Southern Hemisphere.
The estate’s Coratina claimed the 2026 First Prize, following its second-place finish in the same IOC competition in 2025. This is an extraordinary achievement for a single estate and a significant milestone for South Africa’s extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) industry.
The Mario Solinas Quality Awards, organised by the IOC, represent independent recognition at the highest level of the international olive oil industry.
Award changed perception of SA producers
For South Africa, the achievement carries particular weight. The country is one of the smallest olive oil-producing nations in the Southern Hemisphere and competes internationally against much larger, established industries in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Australia, Brazil and Uruguay.
Eleanor Stoker, CEO of De Rustica, said the result should challenge the perception that South African producers are a smaller player in the global industry.
“I think sometimes, coming from a smaller industry, we can be a little too modest about where we believe we belong. Results like this challenge that thinking. South African producers have the climate, the skill and, importantly, the ambition to make truly exceptional olive oil. For me, this is less about celebrating one result and more about what it says is possible – for De Rustica and for our industry.”
From the olive groves outside De Rust in the Klein Karoo, De Rustica has built an impressive record of recognition at some of the world’s most respected EVOO competitions over the past decade.
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In 2023, its Coratina was ranked by EVOOLEUM as the world’s highest-rated EVOO. In 2025, the Coratina again scored 97 points and was placed second. In 2026, De Rustica Coratina maintained its Top 10 position in the EVOOLEUM Southern Hemisphere chart of the best extra virgin olive oils by coming top overall.
De Rustica Favolosa also took the top award at the 2026 NOVA Awards at Mercacei for new clonal cultivars. At home, the estate won five gold awards at the 2026 SA Olive Awards for Coratina, Medium, Favolosa, Chemlali and Koroneiki.
Wendy Petersen, CEO of the SA Olive Industry Association, said the growing international recognition of South African producers is helping to strengthen the reputation of the country’s EVOO industry globally.
“The international awards being won by South African olive oil producers are making a significant contribution to the reputation and recognition of South African Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) on the global stage.”
Consistency, dedication delivers quality products
Petersen said the consistently high quality of South African EVOO can, in large part, be attributed to the SA Olive Commitment to Compliance (CTC) Scheme, which provides a quality and authenticity framework and ensures participating products meet rigorous standards for sensory quality and analytical properties.
“Together, the dedication of our producers and the integrity of the CTC Scheme are helping to build consumer confidence and strengthen the reputation of South African EVOO both locally and internationally,” she said.
She added that every international award represents more than an individual producer’s achievement.
“Every international award is not only an achievement for an individual producer—it is recognition of the quality, commitment and growing excellence of the entire South African olive industry.”
The timing of De Rustica’s historic win is also significant, with the South African olive industry having formally submitted its request in September to become a member of the International Olive Council.
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For Stoker, the latest international recognition reflects something deeper than a collection of awards – it speaks to the people, environment and commitment behind the estate’s oils.
“Different cultivars, different competitions, different judging panels and different harvests seem to serve rather than hinder De Rustica’s winning abilities – because it’s all about the place, the environment, the people and our shared belief in creating an outstanding quality product.
“Awards are simply one of the ways that our efforts are measured beyond the farm. And perhaps that is what makes this latest result particularly meaningful.”
