Tunisian Olive Oil Shines at European International Olive Oil Competition
A reception was held on June 20, 2025, at the Swiss Embassy to honor Tunisian olive oil following its brilliant success at the third edition of the European International Olive Oil Competition (EIOOC) held from April 22 to 24, 2025, in Geneva. Two Tunisian brands from Kairouan, specializing in the production and marketing of the Oueslati variety, each won a gold medal.
The two laureates from the Kairouan region were overjoyed at receiving the gold medals, which reward their efforts to promote their local product with multiple virtues. Sonia Amiri, owner of the award-winning brand "Olea Amiri," testified: "We note that Oueslati olive oil is increasingly recognized internationally for its quality and exceptional taste. This is not my first medal. In fact, my product has been awarded in all international competitions I have participated in." Bouchra Laaouani, founder of the also-awarded brand Bahia, added: "I recently introduced Oueslati olive oil into my business plan, and my clients are very impressed by the quality of this product. This is my second participation in an international competition, and also my second gold medal. These recognitions are very motivating for me and push me to move forward to position my product internationally."
The Oueslati Variety: A Local Gem
The Oueslati variety is a local cultivar grown around Jbel Oueslat, a mountain range from which the variety gets its name. It is one of the flagship products of the Kairouan governorate and more specifically of the delegations of Oueslatia, El Ala, and Haffouz. It stands out for its unique flavor and physico-chemical characteristics with multiple benefits. According to Dr. Kaouther Ben Hassine, a university professor and representative of the Arab Federation of Food Industries, "This oil is distinguished by its refined sensory profile and remarkable nutritional qualities. The Oueslati olive tree is planted on a diversity of soils whose edaphic characteristics contribute to producing a very fruity, sweet, non-pungent, and slightly bitter oil, conferring a unique typicality to this oil. Oueslati oil boasts an exceptional content of oleic acid, reaching 81.40%, characterized by intense fruitiness, moderate bitterness, and very low pungency, offering an elegant and balanced gustatory experience."
Promoting Tunisian Olive Oil
Tunisian olive oil has been selected as one of the flagship products in the framework of the implementation of the strategy for the valorization and promotion of local products in the pilot governorate of Kairouan. A comprehensive program is being implemented, following a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach, involving farmers, processors, and traders to diversify the offer, master quality, and facilitate access to markets. A tourism valorization program has been set up, involving gastronomic establishments, hotels, and travel agencies, to develop a new tourist offer around this flagship product. In the same vein, work has begun on creating a thematic route dedicated to Oueslati olive oil. This initiative aims to promote this flagship product as a symbol of local identity, attracting more visitors throughout the year.
Swiss Support for Tunisian Olive Oil
On the occasion of the reception organized on June 20, 2025, to award the medals to the Tunisian laureates of this competition, Josef Renggli, the Swiss Ambassador to Tunisia, highlighted Switzerland's support through various programs, including the PAMPAT 2 project, which supports Oueslati olive oil operators in the Kairouan region as part of the implementation of the strategy for the valorization and promotion of local products, as well as the SIPPO program, which supports the export of high-value-added Tunisian products like olive oil. He added that "Tunisia has largely outperformed all participating countries in this competition, with a jury composed mainly of non-Tunisian members. This testifies to the unquestionable quality of Tunisian olive oil and its high level of excellence."
Oueslati Olive Oil: A Flagship Product
Oueslati olive oil is one of the three flagship products selected, alongside the Kairouan rose and the El Ala fig, as part of the implementation of the strategy for the valorization and promotion of local products in the pilot governorate of Kairouan launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Agriculture. These three products receive support from the Market Access for Agricultural and Territorial Products (PAMPAT2) project implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economy (SECO) as part of the said strategy.
