Uljara Davidović Puts Montenegro on Map of NYIOOC Winners

Uljara Davidović from Montenegro has won a Gold Award at the 2022 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

This award motivates me to continue and improve our production, but also I see it as a challenge and obligation to maintain this level of quality.

Stevo Davidović, owner

Situated in the Budva municipality, on the small Balkan state's central coast with the Adriatic Sea, the centuries-old family farm earned the award for a medium blend of Coratina and Leccino olives.

"I have the honor to participate at the NYOOOC for the first time, and this achievement makes me proud," owner Stevo Davidović said.

"I see it as a reward for my family and for the time and energy we invested in this," he added. "This award motivates me to continue and improve our production, but also I see it as a challenge and obligation to maintain this level of quality."

In the 2021/22 crop year, Uljara Davidović produced 1,600 liters of extra virgin olive oil from his grove comprising 750 trees using traditional methods.

For Davidović, this year's success at the NYIOOC is even more gratifying after a tough harvest full of climatic challenges.

"The harvest was challenging," he said. "The drought was severe and we had to fight olive fly infestations. Nevertheless, we managed to have a successful harvest and to produce high-quality olive oil."

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.