The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition is the world’s largest and most prestigious olive oil contest. In fact, its eighth edition was completed during the week of May 11, revealing this year’s best extra virgin olive oils.
This time, however, the NYIOOC has been quite different due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic back in March. To counter this turmoil, the organizers designed an innovative remote-judging system that allowed the analyses to take place in the homes and offices of the international panel of 17 expert tasters.
Curtis Cord, the president of the NYIOOC expressed his extreme satisfaction with the results. “I couldn’t be more pleased with our judging and technical teams who have shown yet again extraordinary dedication and professionalism at the highest standards for which the NYIOOC is known and olive oil producers deserve,” he stated.
“The 2020 edition has made great strides in our mission to educate people everywhere on the value of high-quality extra virgin olive oils,” Cord said, “and the heroic efforts by all who are dedicated to crafting them.”
At the NYIOOC 2020, Greece participated with 126 entries and won a total of 70 gold (31) and silver (39) awards, representing a 56% success rate. In fact, in the last five years, Greek olive oils have experienced a 45% increase in success rate at the prestigious international competition. Namely, at the 2016 edition the success percentage was 11%, in 2017 and 2018 amounted to 35%, while at the 2019 NYIOOC it dropped to 32%.
The Official Index of the World’s Best Olive Oils was viewed by producers, distributors, retailers, food industry professionals, international press, and the general public, while the media and social media buzz rippled around the world and introduced ever more people to the importance and value of high-quality olive oils.