The Hojiblanca extra virgin olive oil earned a Gold Award at the world’s leading olive oil quality contest.
Olive Oil Times |
Lucena, Spain — Cooperativa Olivarera de Lucena has been awarded a Gold at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the Lucentina brand.
Cooperativa Olivarera de Lucena produces Lucentina as a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil from the Hojiblanca cultivar. Lucentina is distinguished by a green, savory character, with artichoke at the forefront alongside fresh herbs and green tomato, followed by a clean, peppery lift.
Founded in 1949, Cooperativa Olivarera de Lucena is dedicated to the production and marketing of olive oil and table olives. Cooperativa Olivarera de Lucena brings together more than 1,500 farmers from Lucena, Monturque, Aguilar de la Frontera, Moriles, Cabra and Rute, cultivating more than 12,000 hectares of mostly traditional olive groves comprising 1.2 million trees. Trees are cultivated mostly through integrated management to support quality, traceability and sustainability.
"The campaign required close coordination between the field and the oil mill. The initial heat waves forced us to bring forward the harvest, accepting a reduction in oil yield in order to prioritize quality. Our cooperative maintained exhaustive control over the harvesting, milling, and temperatures of the olives from farms monitored throughout the year. The result is a harmonious and complex EVOO, recognized with an international gold medal that endorses the commitment of our farmers.," said Antonio Pozo, Technical Director at Cooperativa Olivarera de Lucena.
The 2026 Gold continues a consistent showing at the NYIOOC for Cooperativa Olivarera de Lucena, which has earned three Gold Awards overall, including Golds in 2023 and 2024.
The NYIOOC Gold places Lucentina among the world’s elite extra virgin olive oils. In the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, Cooperativa Olivarera de Lucena is ranked #51 in Spain, #109 in the Northern Hemisphere and #113 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.