The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARPA) has opened the application period for the 3rd edition of the National Awards for the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) of Catalonia, corresponding to 2026.
Registration opens on 27 October and closes on 13 November.
Samples of the participating oils will be taken between 16 and 25 November.
The awards aim to recognise the best extra virgin olive oils produced in Catalonia and to encourage their promotion, marketing and consumption, both in the food retail market and in the restaurant trade.
Through its Directorate-General for Agri-Food Businesses, Quality and Gastronomy, the Department promotes these awards in order to highlight the quality of Catalan oils and their sensory characteristics.
This edition introduces changes to the categories in order to accommodate more types of production and to recognise initiatives that help bring olive oil culture closer to the local area. Among the new features are the category for limited-production oils, with batches of between 300 and 500 litres, and the award for the best olive oil tourism initiative.
Award categories
The National Awards for the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oils of Catalonia are structured into the following categories:
1.Extra virgin olive oils from large producers, from batches of more than 3,000 litres:
2.Extra virgin olive oils from small producers, from batches of more than 500 and up to 3,000 litres:
3.Extra virgin olive oils from limited production, from batches of between 300 and 500 litres. The three best oils in this category will be selected; they may not compete for awards in other categories.
4.Organically produced oils. The three best organic oils will be selected; they must be certified by the Catalan Council for Organic Agricultural Production (CCPAE).
5.Single-variety extra virgin olive oils, produced from a single olive variety:
6.Best food pairing, culinary combination and gastronomic versatility. Awards will go to the three oils offering the best pairing options with different foods, chosen from among the best oils in the intense green, medium green, light green and ripe fruitiness categories.
7.Best packaging. The three oils presented in the most innovative and attractive packaging will be singled out.
8.Best extra virgin olive oils from large producers. The three highest-scoring oils among all those entered in this category will be recognised.
9.Best extra virgin olive oils from small producers. The three highest-scoring oils among all those entered in this category will be recognised.
10.Best olive oil tourism initiative. This will recognise the best olive oil tourism experience that helps to showcase Catalonia’s extra virgin olive oils, diversify economic activity in the olive oil sector and promote the local area.
Entry requirements
Interested companies must meet the requirements set out in the regulatory rules. Among other conditions, the olive groves from which the oil is obtained must be located in Catalonia, and the oils entered must comply with the regulations in force and with the quality and identification requirements laid down in the call for entries.
When submitting their application, entrants must pay the public fee corresponding to each oil they wish to enter. This amount covers the sampling service and the jury tasting for the organoleptic assessment of the entries.
Entries that also wish to compete for the award for the best olive oil tourism initiative must include a report describing the experience, its objectives and target audience, its connection with extra virgin olive oil, its territorial and economic impact, and its elements of innovation and sustainability. An entry cannot be submitted for the olive oil tourism category alone: an oil must also be entered for the awards.
Submitting applications
The registration period opens with the publication of the call for entries and closes on 13 November 2026.
Samples of the participating oils will be taken from 16 to 25 November 2026.
Those interested can consult the regulatory rules and submit their applications through the electronic procedure of the Generalitat of Catalonia.
Further information and applications: HERE.
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