The delicately intense Mission monovarietal from Yamanashi Prefecture earned recognition at the world’s leading olive oil quality contest.
Olive Oil Times |
Fuefuki, Japan — Maedaya has been awarded a Gold at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for Fuefuki Maedaya Mission.
Produced from Mission olives, Fuefuki Maedaya Mission is an extra virgin olive oil of delicate intensity. Crafted in Yamanashi Prefecture, the oil reflects careful attention to cultivation and milling in a region known for sharp seasonal contrasts, where summer temperatures reach around 40 ºC and winter temperatures fall to around –10 ºC.
Maedaya is a family-run olive farm in Yamanashi Prefecture, home to Mt. Fuji. Producer Keisuke Maeda, a member of the Japanese rock band Remioromen, balances olive growing with writing music and playing bass guitar. After returning to his hometown, Maeda planted 100 olive trees in 2013 and produced the first olive oil in 2016. The grove has since expanded to 500 olive trees.
The 2026 Gold adds to Maedaya’s strong record at the NYIOOC. The producer has earned three Gold Awards overall, including Golds in 2024 and 2025.
The new distinction also strengthens Maedaya’s standing in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, where Maedaya is ranked #3 in Japan, #81 in the Northern Hemisphere and #83 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.