Business Central July 2021

66 | HORTICULTURE Olives New Zealand “That’s huge for this country. We have had exports orders off the back of that competition as a result of our growers being recognised in New York.” NZ Olive Oil up with world’s best T Kim Newth Richard Lee of Olive Black took out Best in Show at the 2020 New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards. E xtra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) made in New Zealand is undeniably up with the best in the world, yet New Zealanders still mostly buy and consume imported olive oil. Olives New Zealand is working to turn that around and is spreading the word on the exceptional quality of locally produced EVOO product. Leading the industry’s certifying body is Ex- ecutive Officer Gayle Sheridan, who says New Zealand’s EVOO has been going from strength to strength over the past decade. Feedback from international judges has been glowing. At the 2020 New York Interna- tional Olive Oil Competition – arguably the most prestigious in the world of olive oil pro- duction – New Zealand olive oils won seven gold medals, more than in any other year. “That’s huge for this country. We have had exports orders off the back of that com- petition as a result of our growers being recognised in New York. We have another six entries in that competition this year, so I will be waiting in the early hours of the morning in May to see how we go this time.” Judges were also impressed by the number and quality of entries in last year’s New Zea- land Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards. A total of 128 entries were received, being the second highest number ever for the event. Head judge Charlotte Connoley described New Zealand’s olive growers as “true arti- sans” and dubbed the fruits of their labours “extraordinary”. She urged more people to seek out and try locally grown and pressed EVOO. Olives are being grown in groves of various sizes across New Zealand from Northland to Central Otago, with some 2130 hectares planted in olive trees. The annual harvest is supported by more than 40 olive processing plants. Wairarapa is riding high as the country’s pre-eminent olive growing region after winning four of the five major awards for Olive Oil Excellence at last year’s annual awards and with the region’s growers also having received 58 medals. “Wairarapa has the largest number of grow- ers, but not the largest number of trees,” says Gayle. “They have a lot of boutique growers who are passionate about producing only the best quality oil.” Finding quality New Zealand olive oil is a breeze for consumers – just look for the red OliveMark. This proves that the oil meets New Zealand Olives’ certification standards for EVOO on requirements such as bottling, labelling and quality control testing. Oil samples are sent to laboratories accred- ited to the International Olive Council on an annual basis. This year, Olives New Zealand is working through its certification process in conjunction with Modern Olives in Victoria, Australia. “They will be conducting chemical and organoleptic analyses. On top of that, labelling has to meet New Zealand food labelling requirements, which are quite rigorous and differ from what is required for imported products.” Olives New Zealand, with support from a Sustainable Farming Fund Grant, carried out a Focus Grove Project between 2016 and 2019 aimed at increasing the market share for NZ EVOO by boosting production and reducing costs. This has led to a significant rise in produc- tion for those following the methodologies identified. A new project, initiated in 2019, aims to grow production further and is also exploring a more organic/alternative approach. Regular regional field trips are held by Olives New Zealand to share latest best prac- tice, local learnings and to facilitate trouble shooting, as needed. At the time of writing, harvest 2021 was fast approaching with all signs pointing to very positive yields ahead. “From what I’m hearing, there is a very good crop load out there and the quality is going to be at least as good as last year and we should see a bigger quantity picked too.” New Zealand’s most awarded producer of extra virgin olive oils • Judged by Olives New Zealand as “Best Processor” for the last 7 years • Pressed all 5 NZ Golds at 2021 New York International Olive Oil Competition • Pressed 3 out of 7 NZ Golds at 2020 New York International Olive Oil Competition • Won “Best Flavoured Oil” at 2020 Australian International Olive Awards (shared) • Won “Best Flavoured Oil” at 2019, 2018 and 2017 Olives New Zealand Annual Awards • Pressed “Best in Show” at 2020, 2019 and 2018 Olives New Zealand Annual Awards SupportingNewZealand’s leadingolivegrowerswithgrovemanagement services, oliveharvesting &processing, and theproduction, blending, bottling&distributionof premiumoliveoils. Contact – Katrina Bach, The Olive Press Limited, 14 Arbor Street, Greytown 5794 katrina@theolivepress.co.nz 027 446 1868 Proud supporters of Olives New Zealand with sustainable, fit for purpose packaging. For all your packaging requirements please contact Caspak Sustainable on 09 421 9019 or via our website www.caspak.co.nz