Enter the Australian International Olive Awards 2025 … before time runs out!
Image: Gidge Springs, WA.
By Laura Thomas
Time is fast running out to enter your quality oils and table olives in the nation’s peak industry awards.
Entries are now being accepted for the Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA), celebrating and promoting quality extra virgin olive oil, flavoured olive oil and table olive production.
But you’d better be quick – entries close Friday, 22 August.
Past winner Ed Dekker encouraged industry members to enter the AIOA to see how their products fare against some of the best in the country.
His grove, Gidge Springs, took out the award for Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil Western Australia in 2024.
The grove is located in the small rural settlement of Morangup – near the better-known town of Gidegannup – about 40km north east of Perth.
Established in 1997 it is home to 800 olive trees and popular for its organically-produced, quality EVOO.
Gidge Springs products are sold through 5 shop outlets and direct to the public, via word of mouth and social media.
Mr Dekker said the AIOA provided an unparalleled opportunity for Australian producers to see how their oil stacks up against some of the best in the business.
An award win also means significant brand exposure.
“Our (award winning) 2023-24 crop suffered heat stress and resulted in smaller olives,” Mr Dekker said.
“But the oil yield was 25% – the best ever – with excellent results for Leccino, despite a lower total volume.”
Mr Dekker encouraged producers to use sensory and chemical oil analysis to accurately test the quality of their product.
Unfortunately, irrigation issues impacted this year’s harvest at Gidge Springs, but Mr Dekker is looking forward to 2026.
About the Australian International Olive Awards
The AIOA is a national industry organisation-owned event, run by the industry for the industry.
It gives producers the opportunity to have their olive oils and table olives assessed by a panel of expert judges, celebrating high quality and flavour, rewarding excellence and boosting the quality of Australian olive products.
It also aims to nurture growers and producers, helping them building on their quality olive products.
An award win is also “marketing gold”, helping to boost the profile of an olive brand and its bottom line.
An AIOA win puts a brand and olive products at the forefront of the market, in view of the entire Australian olive industry, growers, producers and consumer, and on the world stage!
There’s no better promotion for your business than taking home piece of AIOA silverware.
Major award winners will be celebrated at the Gala Awards Presentation Dinner in October (date to be confirmed), while all awards and medal winners will be listed in the 2025 results book, on the Australian Olive Association and AIOA websites, as well as via Friday Olive Extracts and other media.
Key dates
- Entries close: 22 August 2025
- Medal Winners Announced (via email to winners): 29 September 2025
- Gala Awards Presentation Dinner: Adelaide, 30 October 2025
More information
For more information about Australia’s peak olive awards or to lodge your entry, visit the AIOA website.
The 2024 results book features judges’ feedback and profiles, entry statistics and more and can be found here.
Industry sponsorship
Our industry sponsors provide valuable support for the competition each year.
Industry product and service providers wanting to find out more about the sponsorship opportunities still available can contact Gerri Nelligan at [email protected]
Consider becoming an AOA member