In recent years, Herzegovinian olive oils have gained international recognition as top quality products.
At the 2025 World Olive Oil Competition, all 11 submitted samples from Herzegovina won six gold and five silver medals, which confirmed their significant progress on the world stage.
“Herzegovinian oils are now recognized beyond the borders of our country, although until recently few people knew about them,” said Prof. Marko Ivanković, director of the Federal Agro-Mediterranean Institute (FAZ) in Mostar.
Of particular note is the high content of polyphenols, natural antioxidants, which, according to laboratory analyses, exceed the limit defined by European standards in a large percentage, which ranks these oils among the best nutritionally.
The renaissance of olive growing in Herzegovina began about fifteen years ago, when only 80 hectares were cultivated, while today olive groves occupy more than 660 hectares, with the ambition to increase the area to 1,000 hectares by 2030. Along with the establishment of the Herzegovina Association of Olive Growers and Producers (HUUM), the introduction of strict quality control and the protection of authenticity through the PDO status, the region also got its own brand “Golden drops of Herzegovina”.
These achievements are the result of a combination of almost ideal natural conditions and the dedicated work of the producers. Although Herzegovina is located on the edge of a sustainable olive growing zone, the specific climate with hot days and cold nights – encourages the production of oils rich in polyphenols. “What was once considered a disadvantage, today proves to be an advantage in the age of climate change,” emphasizes Ivanković.
Successes on the international stage opened the door for further promotion. Herzegovina’s olive growers announce the development of oil tourism through the “Herzegovina Olive Oil Roads” project, which envisages the opening of up to 12 tasting rooms and the connection of olive growing with other local products. The long-term goal is to establish Herzegovina as a recognizable olive-growing region on the level of the entire eastern Adriatic.
The appearance at the International Symposium on Olive Oils of Croatia and the Adriatic Coast, which will be held from September 16 to 18 in Postire on Brač, is an opportunity for Herzegovinian producers to further confirm this. The event will bring together representatives from Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, along with researchers and culinary experts from around the world.
“Participation in such a meeting is important for the exchange of experiences and the strengthening of cooperation between the Adriatic countries, and we plan to propose a joint project of researching the terroir of the eastern Adriatic,” announced Ivanković.
During the three days of the symposium, in addition to guided tastings, workshops and presentations, participants will also explore Brac olive groves, home to more than a million trees, while Herzegovina producers will have the opportunity to confirm the status of new, but increasingly respected players on the map of world olive growing, Fena writes.
