Montevideo honours the winners of the 2026 Mario Solinas Quality Award for the Southern Hemisphere

Eight extra virgin olive oils from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Uruguay were honoured at the third Mario Solinas Quality Award for the Southern Hemisphere. The International Olive Council (IOC) held the prize-giving ceremony on 10 November at the Laboratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay (LATU) in Montevideo.

Abderraouf Laajimi, the IOC’s Deputy Executive Director for Operational Affairs, addressed the ceremony and presented the awards to the winners. In his remarks, he noted that olive cultivation is expanding beyond its traditional regions, helped in some areas by favourable growing conditions and the prospect of rising demand. He stressed that emerging olive oil industries can build on that opportunity by meeting quality standards for both chemical and sensory characteristics. These standards help IOC members meet their international commitments and protect the authenticity of olive oil for producers and consumers alike.

Argentina took two first prizes. The Zuccardi Family, from Mendoza, won in the robust green fruitiness category, while Agro Aceitunera SA, from San Juan, won for delicate green fruitiness. Uruguay’s Nuevo Manantial SA, from Maldonado, took first prize for medium green fruitiness. South Africa’s De Rustica Estate, from De Rust, won first prize in the small-scale producers category.

Uruguay took all three prizes for medium green fruitiness, with Tebalsur, from Cerro Largo, placing second and Gafimax SA, from Maldonado, third. In the small-scale producers category, Brazil’s Estancia Das Oliveiras Agroindustrial, from Viamão, took second prize, and Uruguay’s Otro Sol SA, from Maldonado, placed third. See the official competition results.

An international jury of eight expert tasters evaluated 24 entries at the Faculty of Chemistry in Montevideo. The jury assessed each oil’s aromas and flavours, as well as its harmony, complexity and persistence. Read more about this year’s competition.