SA olive oil producers shine at prestigious international competition

Eight South African olive oil producers have walked away with silver and/or gold awards at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC).

It's known as the largest olive oil quality contest globally, and its annual list of award winners is an authoritative guide to the best products in the world.

John Perlman chats to Loyiso Manga, founder of Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which was awarded silver at the 2024 NYIOOC.

'This win is for all the unemployed youth and those who desire to follow their dreams... We've just begun', Manga told the judges.

He says that exposure at global competitions like the NYIOOC helps boost the local industry, as there isn't yet great awareness that olive oil is produced in South Africa.

"We're ranked quite low in terms of the hectares that are grown and the industry, but we have year by year produced top-tier quality olive oil and competitions like this do give us that credibility that we need."

Loyiso Manga, Founder - Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Another challenge for local producers of course, is the sheer volume of imported olive oils we see on our supermarket shelves.

Manga says the industry is highly subsidised by government in countries like Italy and Spain, and we end up getting their inferior products.

"Some of those guys bring in inferior olive oil to SA because all of their top-tier product goes to England, and to America because of the dollar... then they send us inferior olive oil."

"A lot of people still praise these oils, and I think those of us who are producing think it's poor quality... but it's cheaper and messes up what we're doing here."

Loyiso Manga, Founder - Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Manga says that SA Olive is embarking on one of its biggest marketing campaigns yet to get South Africans to buy local olive oil 'that has been tasted and approved, and has got the SA Olive sticker'.

Scroll up to listen to the interview with Manga