De Rustica Makes South African Olive Oil History With IOC Victory
De Rustica Makes South African Olive Oil History With IOC Victory. South African olive oil producer De Rustica has secured the top prize at the 2026 International Olive Council (IOC) Mario Solinas Quality Awards for the Southern Hemisphere, becoming the first South African producer to achieve the distinction.
De Rustica’s Coratina took first place in this year’s competition after finishing second with the same cultivar in 2025. The latest result adds to the estate’s record of recognition in international and local olive oil competitions.
In 2023, the Coratina was ranked the world’s highest-rated extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by EVOOLEUM. It scored 97 points in 2025 and placed second, before taking the top position in the 2026 EVOOLEUM Southern Hemisphere ranking.
The estate’s other achievements include a top award for its Favolosa at the 2026 NOVA Awards at Mercacei for new clonal cultivars. Five of its oils also received gold at the 2026 SA Olive Awards.
De Rustica CEO Eleanor Stoker said the IOC result challenges perceptions about what South Africa’s relatively small olive industry can achieve internationally.
Wendy Petersen, CEO of the SA Olive Industry Association, said international awards are contributing to greater recognition of South African EVOO. She attributed the consistent quality of local products, in part, to the SA Olive Commitment to Compliance scheme, which provides a framework covering sensory quality and analytical properties.
The IOC award comes as South Africa seeks a larger role in the global olive oil sector. In September, the country’s olive industry formally submitted its request for South Africa to become a member of the International Olive Council.
Petersen said the timing of De Rustica’s achievement was significant as the industry pursues that membership.
South Africa competes in the Southern Hemisphere market alongside producers from countries including Argentina, Chile, Australia, Brazil and Uruguay.
For De Rustica, the IOC victory marks another international recognition for its oils, while for the broader industry, it adds to the growing list of accolades achieved by South African EVOO producers.
