Porca da Murça amongst the world's best olive oils

Porca de Murça olive oil from Cooperativa Agrícola dos Olivicultores de Murça, CRL (CAOM) was awarded gold in the renowned “Los Angeles International Olive Oil Competition 2014”, in the USA and Gold Medal Prestige at Terra Olivo 2014, in Israel.

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Besides product recognition, this award is also an acknowledgment for the effort and dedication of all members of Cooperativa Agrícola dos Olivicultores de Murça (CAOM ), to whom the quality of the olive oil produced is something they are extremely proud of. The olive oil is extracted from the traditional olive cultivars, using modern techniques, following extremely high quality standards.

CAOM has a strong position in the market with three distinct olive oil labels: Olive Oil Porca de Murça “Premium”, olive oil  Senhor de Murça “Clássic”, and the "Traditional" olive oil de Murça.

Promotion of portuguese products will be funded by the EU

The European Commission has approved 20 initiatives to promote agricultural products inside and outside the community. Portuguese wine and olive oil will receive 851 thousand € from Brussels.

The 20 approved programs will enjoy a budget of 46 million euros, half of that will be funded by the European Union. Two actions to promote portuguese products got the green light from the European Community to receive the funding required for its realization. They will receive the amount of more than $ 1.6 million, 851 thousand € of which, will come directly from Brussels.

European Union will fund the promotion of portuguese wine
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As to the portuguese programs, the Association of Port Wine, responsible for the promotion of this wine on the domestic market, will receive a total of 281.780 euros. The other action promoting portuguese products focuses on olive oil and was developed by Alentejo Regional Wine Commission and Casa do Azeite. This action will take on as a main objective the markets of Germany, UK, Sweden, Poland and the domestic market, also. The two programs will have a total of almost € 1.4 million, approximately 681 euros of which are EU funds.

The 20 programs were selected from a set of 33 projects submitted by November 30, 2013 and were a part of the first wave of presentations within the system of information and promotion of agricultural products, for the year 2014. Such actions will take place over the period of 3 years.

Programs will highlight the specific advantages of EU products related to criteria such as quality, health and safety. According to the European Union, all of the actions were aimed at promoting organic products, wine, milk, flowers, products made from cereals and rice and even products classified as PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin) or PGI (Protected Geografical Indication). The promotion of campaigns outside the limits of the EU, will aim to reach  North America, Russia, China, Middle East, Southeast Asia, India and Turkey markets.

Portuguese Olive Oil awarded at Ovibeja

11 brands of Portuguese olive oil were distinguished at the 4th International Competition of Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Ovibeja Award - held on 20 and 21 March by Ovibeja House and Olive Oil - Olive Oil Association of Portugal.

Amongst the participants there were the countries with higher rates of olive oil exports, Portugal participated with 41 samples, Spain took 44 samples, Italy that participated with 5 samples, Chile with 4 samples and countries such as Greece, Slovenia, Uruguay and Germany. There were 100 samples in the contest in total and 11 bottles of Portuguese olive oil were distinguished along with 9 from Spain, 3 from Italy and one from Chile.

11 brands of portuguese olive oil distinguished in Ovibeja
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In the jury - recognized by the International Olive Council – there were 19 experts representing Portuguese producing regions, 10 Spanish specialists and a representative from the major producing countries. This contest has gained notoriety due to the quality and diversity of samples of oil that gathers, which put him the 2nd place in the ranking of the "Top 50 Oils of the World".

The 4th International Competition of Extra Virgin Olive Oil prizes will be delivered on the 3rd of May at a ceremony in the Ovibeja, in Alentejo Taste Pavilion. Visitors can taste the competing oils and participate in events in order to better understand the different characteristics of olive oil.