The Croatian producer’s medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil was recognized among the world’s best at the 2026 World Olive Oil Competition.
Olive Oil Times |
Poreč, Croatia — Agrolaguna has been awarded a Gold at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for Ol Istria Ekstra Djevičansko.
Ol Istria Ekstra Djevičansko is an extra virgin olive oil of medium intensity. Marked by fresh herbal tones, the oil opens with a green, leafy character and carries artichoke-like bitterness through the mid-palate, finishing with a clean, savory persistence that reflects the region’s early-season freshness.
Agrolaguna is a large agricultural enterprise in Istria with a business spanning viticulture and olive plantations on nearly 1,200 hectares of cultivated land, alongside livestock production. With products widely recognized throughout the region, Agrolaguna has become one of the most visible Croatian names on the international quality circuit through the Ol Istria range.
Croatia’s presence at the NYIOOC has expanded steadily in recent years, and Istria has emerged as a focal point of that progress. At the 2019 NYIOOC, Croatia placed fourth overall, with Istrian oils accounting for the vast majority of the country’s winning entries. In that edition, Agrolaguna was the biggest single winner, earning three Gold Awards and one Silver and helping underscore the peninsula’s growing reputation for high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
The 2026 Gold continues an established competition record for Agrolaguna. Across its full NYIOOC history, Agrolaguna has earned 13 awards, including 11 Golds and two Silvers, with multiple Gold-winning years in 2019, 2024 and 2025.
The latest result further strengthens Agrolaguna’s standing in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, where Agrolaguna is ranked #5 in Croatia, #44 in the Northern Hemisphere and #45 Worldwide.
The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, widely regarded as the world's leading olive oil quality contest, is a trusted reference for consumers and industry professionals.