The 2026 SA Olive Awards in Paarl, Western Cape, recognised producers, farm workers and extra virgin olive oils across the South African industry, from Agri Worker of the Year and lifetime-achievement honours to bronze, silver and gold medals, Food for Mzansi reports. Industry leaders used the occasion to talk about new export markets and the need to protect local quality standards.

The backdrop is a tougher global market. SA Olive chairman Richard Allen said that as world olive-oil supply recovers and international prices fall, smaller producers are under pressure, making efficiency in orchard management, harvesting and processing ever more important. South African growers cannot compete with European volumes, he said, but can compete on other levels.

Chief executive Wendy Petersen said the industry is measuring its oils against international standards. Judges from Brazil and Turkey joined this year's panel and remarked on the improvement in the standard and quality of South African oils over the years; before judging they ran a calibration session tasting international oils, which also exposed producers to other markets' products. SA Olive plans a project later this year to assess local oils further against international benchmarks.

Former AgriSA executive director Christo van der Rheede urged the industry to guard its reputation for quality and integrity as growing populations, urbanisation and rising middle classes in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East lift demand for premium and healthy foods. South Africa's strengths, he said, include agricultural expertise, strong production and food-safety standards, counter-seasonal production and a growing reputation for quality, and the olive industry is well placed on sustainability through climate resilience, regenerative practice, efficient water use and sustainable trade.

Among the people honoured was Denise Bergman, a worker at Het Vlock Casteel in Riebeek Kasteel, one of the winners in the 2026 Agri Worker of the Year category. "This award means the world to me," she said, describing a good agricultural worker as someone who takes pride in the work, is reliable and willing to learn, and helps others as part of a team.

TERO Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a cold-pressed range made by Brown Badger, part of Terrain African Agri Investment, at Leeu Gamka in the Karoo, took five awards: gold for its Picual single variety and four silvers in the medium category for its Koroneiki, Don Carlo and Coratina single varieties and a blend. The brand was launched in 2026, though the farm has pressed olives for years; it produces more than 500,000 litres a season, picks by hand and employs 250 to 300 people at harvest. Head of agronomy Christie Henn said the recognition is about building the brand and "building hope for the community of Leeu Gamka, where poverty is very high, and employment is very scarce".

Source: Food for Mzansi