Olive Oil Competitions, worth It for Small Producers?

At Tenuta Le Mandorlaie, making organic extra virgin olive oil is more than a job, it’s our passion.

Olive Oil Competitions

Every bottle of our IGP certified organic EVOO represents our dedication to quality and sustainable farming. But when it comes to olive oil competitions put on around the world, we have to make a decision from the question “are they worth it for small producers like us?”

Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of taking part.

What Do Olive Oil Competitions Cost?

Entering olive oil competitions isn’t cheap. Here’s what we would typically need to cover as entry costs and associated costs:

• Entry Fees – These can range anywhere from €50 to €300 per submission.
• Shipping – Sending samples to international competitions can get pricey, especially if you enter multiple contests.
• Promotions – If you win, there’s often added expense for updating labels or creating new materials to showcase the award.

For a small producer like Tenuta Le Mandorlaie these costs can add up fast, leaving little room in the budget for other priorities.

Lets look at ‘Why Bother Entering Olive Oil competitions?

Recognition

Competitions let your olive oil shine on a bigger stage. Winning an award can validate your hard work and show customers that your oil is among the best.

Marketing Power

An award is like a badge of honor. It helps your product stand out, especially for shoppers who might not know much about your brand. Highlighting awards can make people curious to try your olive oil.

Honest Feedback

Judges are often industry experts. Their reviews can give you a sense of how your oil stacks up and where you might improve.

Building Connections

Competitions are also great places to meet others in the industry, from distributors to other producers. These relationships can open doors.

The Challenges for Small Producers

It’s Expensive

The cost of entering even a few competitions can be a big strain, especially when competing with large companies that have bigger budgets.

No Guarantees

Winning an award might boost your brand’s reputation, but it doesn’t always translate to immediate sales.

It’s Subjective

Every competition is different, and judging is based on personal taste. The same oil might win gold in one contest but not even place in another.

Does It Make Sense for Tenuta Le Mandorlaie?

As a small organic farm in Maremma, Tuscany, our priority is making high-quality olive oil that reflects the land and our sustainable practices. Competitions could make sense for us if they would help in the following areas

Raising Brand and Product Awareness – Introducing more people to our olive oil would make the investment worthwhile.
Highlight Our Values: We’d prefer competitions that focus on organic or sustainably made products, as that aligns with who we are.

Build Trust – Awards can reassure people who are trying our oil for the first time that they’re choosing something special.

What Are the Alternatives?

If competitions aren’t the right fit for us right now there are other ways for us to connect with new customers,

Direct Sales – Share your story through your website and social media. People love knowing the faces behind a product.

Local Events: Tasting events and collaborations with local businesses can get your oil into the hands of your neighbors.

Word of Mouth – Partner with chefs, bloggers, or influencers who can help spread the word.
Certifications: Highlighting organic or IGP certifications can be just as powerful as winning a medal.

For small producers, deciding whether to enter olive oil competitions comes down to weighing the costs against the potential benefits. While they can offer valuable exposure and validation, they’re not always a sure path to success.

At Tenuta Le Mandorlaie, our focus remains on producing olive oil we’re proud of—whether or not it comes with a shiny medal. After all, the real reward is sharing the taste of Maremma with others.

You Can read more about Olive Oil Competitions around the word in our Olive Oil Competitions article

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