Altirs Olives Strikes Gold at World Competition

MNL Farms, a United States-based importer of Lebanese extra virgin olive oil, has been awarded at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition.

(Winning at the NYIOOC) means a lot to all of us and helps sell our oil in the U.S. market. It is a reward for the hard work and improvements that we strive to do every season.

Mike Altirs, owner

The company earned a Gold Award for its Altirs brand, a medium blend. "Since Altirs olive oil has been in production for two generations, winning the NYIOOC, makes my family and myself very proud," owner Mike Altirs said.

"We produce our oil through automatic cold pressing in three steps," he added. "It means a lot to all of us and helps sell our oil in the U.S. market. It is a reward for the hard work and improvements we strive to do every season.

The company produces about 60,000 liters of extra virgin olive oil each year. Altirs said climatic challenges are some of the toughest he faces during each harvest.

"When it comes to harvesting, the climate is one of the biggest challenges we face," he said. "Some years we struggle a little more than others. In 2021, fortunately, we were able to overcome these challenges. 2022 was also good; we did not have any challenges. We're hoping for 2023 to be a good year as well."

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition held each spring in New York, is the world's largest and most prestigious olive oil contest. Its annual listing of award winners is considered the authoritative guide to the year’s best extra virgin olive oils.

The complete list of winners can be viewed in the Official Guide to the World's Best Olive Oils.