Photo Credit: USAID/Albania   USAID and the Albanian Olive Oil Association awarded prizes for extra virgin and virgin olive oil at this year's Balkan Modus Nutriendi Fair. Some of Albania's finest olive oil was available for fair-goers to taste and enjoy.

Olive Oil Association Announces Winners of the National Olive Oil Competition

TIRANA, May 8, 2009     The Albanian Olive Oil Association (AOA) awarded prizes to the winners of the annual national olive oil competition organized under the auspices of the Balkan Modus Nutriendi International Fair at the Rogner Hotel and with the support of USAID. Twenty two top Albanian olive oil producers competed for categories of best, second best and third best extra virgin olive oil. During the ceremony Mr. John Brannaman, USAID Deputy Mission Director and Mr. Ndoc Fasllia, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Consumer Protection, handed the awards to the winners.

“For the fourth consecutive year, Albania is honoring its best olive oil producers,” said Acting USAID Mission Director, John Brannaman.  “With 22 participating businesses in this year’s competition, we are seeing an increased awareness and appreciation for quality that reflects tremendous work on the part of Albanian farmers, processors, and consumers.”

USAID introduced for the first time the national olive oil competition in 2006 and since then has trained and supported the panel of tasters and has sponsored the organization of the annual olive oil competition. New production technologies and effective marketing strategies including branding have enabled olive oil producers to aim for high end markets for their quality extra virgin olive oil.

According to Brannaman, awareness of the importance of quality is at the heart of creating a viable, efficient value chain that will support growth of small and medium enterprises, create jobs, and reduce poverty in Albania.

“The new tradition of the olive oil competition established by USAID, is fundamental for the advancement of this sector”, said the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection, Mr. Ndoc Fasllia. “It gives producers an incentive to increase their product’s quality and to improve their marketing efforts."

Albanian extra virgin olive oil has the potential to become highly competitive in regional and international markets. With improved recognition and more effective branding, olive oil producers can penetrate more markets and establish niche channels for their high quality products.