War Veteran Wins Gold for Priska at World Competition

OPG Pedić from Croatia has returned to winning ways at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition.

Since I lost my leg in the Homeland War, this is my confirmation that one should never surrender.

Borislav Pedić, co-owner

The Dalmatian producer earned a Gold Award for its Priska brand, a medium blend of Oblica, Lastovka and Istarska Bjelica olives. Priska previously earned a Gold Award in 2021.

"Since I lost my leg in the Homeland War [Croatian War of Independence], this is my confirmation that one should never surrender," co-owner Borislav Pedić said.

"This gives me even more strength to engage in olive growing because winning a Gold Award at this prestigious competition is just an indication that I have chosen the right path," he added.

Pedić cited the drought as the main obstacle to producing award-winning extra virgin olive oil.

"This year was demanding due to the great drought, so we had to irrigate," he said. "But even such a year had its advantages because there were no pests, such as the olive fly. All in all, the crop is excellent, the fruit is healthy, and the oil is excellent."

Held each spring in New York, the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition 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.