Italy, and Spain as well, confirm themselves as the top of excellence of organic olive growing world wide.

In fact, according to the verdict of the Biol Prize, the international kermess that from 14 years assigns the most important international acknowledgement  in the sector, the best organic extra virgin olive oil for 2009 edition  is “Masoni Becciu” by Serra Franca Maria, from Villacidro (Cagliari – Sardinia).

The “Becciu” turned out to be the best among around 370 oils coming from 18 countries –  a record number of participants – covering almost the whole international olive growing scenario.
Second place went to “Rincon de la Subbética” from Cordoba – Spain, that was awarded Biol Prize in 2007; third “Primo” of the Cutrera di Chiaramonte Olive Oil Mills, from Sicily (province of Ragusa).

Among others main acknowledgments, Biolblended Prize (the best oil bottled and marketed under a commercial name that is not the one of the producer) has been assigned to “Bios” by Monini, from Umbria (Italy), whereas the Biolpack (to the best label/packaging assigned by a panel of communication and consumption experts) to the extra-virgin olive oil “San Pietro” from Chile.

A panel of children has also assigned the BiolKids to the Portuguese oil “Risca Grande”.
Among the others acknowledgements, the BiolEthic for the best ethical contribute to the Greeck “Bioli” produced in the Crete Island.   Always very good, finally, the quality of the regional oils from Puglia: this year BiolPuglia prize has been assigned to “Bio Gargano” from Carpino (the complete list of the territorial acknowledgements and the mentions will be soon on-line at www.premiobiol.it ).

The proclamation of the winners  has taken place in the main hall of the municipality of Andria, in presence of the major Mr Vincenzo Zaccaro, and the coordinator of Biol Prize Mr Nino Paparella. The consignment  of Prizes will take place the in June during the second edition of BiolFish, the international project on sustainable fishing and aquaculture, in Monopoli (Bari), dedicated to organic fish and oil. “The international panel – Mr Paparella has declared – has pointed out as quality has no borders. Biol represents the evidence of a common cultural basis coming from the Italian and Mediterranean gastronomic tradition”.

Winners and the other participants will be published on the traditional Biol catalogue and introduced to the main international fairs of the sector, from Bio Fach in Nurmberg, to SANA in Bologna (Italy).
Many collateral initiatives have taken place during Biol Prize week: the international course for tasters of virgin olive oil, with a stage on the Quality Manual Management for the organic product; the international convention on competition and cooperation among Mediterranean producers, with a workshop on the foundation of a trans-national network of producers, within the framework of the community project BiolMed. Moreover:  “A world of oil” the exhibition on olive oils, with tasting labs;  the opening of the Olive Oil Museum “Terre di Traiano”.

The Biol Prize is sponsored by IFOAM, the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with Puglia Region, the Chamber of Commerce of Bari, the City of Andria, the Municipality of Monopoli, Aiab Puglia, ICEA - Ethical and Environmental Certification Institute , and Puglia Natura Consortium.