KLEIN KAROO – De Rustica Olive Estate has secured second place overall in the prestigious EVOOLEUM 2025 international competition, marking a significant achievement for South Africa’s olive oil industry. The estate’s Coratina variety scored 96 points out of 100, standing as the only olive oil outside of Spain and Italy to rank in the global Top 10.
This recognition follows the estate’s previous triumph as the “EVOOLEUM Absolute Best” olive oil in 2023, establishing De Rustica as one of only four estates worldwide to maintain such high rankings consistently over the past three years.
Located in the Oudemuragie Valley near the Swartberg Mountains, De Rustica was founded in 2006 by mining entrepreneur Rob Still. What began as an experimental venture in a region not traditionally known for olive cultivation has grown into a 135-hectare operation with 77 000 olive trees.
The estate has accumulated numerous accolades over the years, including gold at the 2024 Dubai Olive Oil Competition, multiple gold medals at the New York International Olive Oil Competition, and 29 gold medals at the South African Olive Awards over the past decade.
While countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece have long dominated the olive oil market, South Africa has emerged as a notable contender in producing premium-quality extra virgin olive oil.
Beyond its product success, De Rustica has become a significant employer in the region, focusing on skills development for local workers and implementing sustainable farming practices throughout its operations.
The achievement highlights South Africa’s growing reputation in the premium olive oil sector, as producers from non-traditional regions continue to gain recognition on the world stage.
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