News Feature

Croatia aiming to be top in olive oil market

10 December 2008

Croatia is battling to take on other countries with its production of olive oil, aiming to reach the highest quality.

Olive growers in the country are attempting to take on Greece, Italy and Spain's production of the cooking oil, reports AFP.

Sandi Chiavalon, one such producer, says the country will only succeed if it produces "top-quality" olive oil.

"Our target should be a superior oil that the market is lacking and people are ready to pay for," he tells the source.

The expert states the country is too small to fight to be the biggest seller, so must use quality to its advantage.

Figures from the International Olive Oil council show the country is responsible for 0.2 per cent of the world's market, but Croatia is looking to increase this for its European Union entry.

Emanuel Grubic an olive grower from Bale near Vodnjan says the rise in oil popularity could bring with it an increase in tourism, with tours and tastings being based around the product.

Last month an olive oil festival was held in Croatia, the second to be held in the country, Javno reports.

The event ran from November 17th to 20th in Zagreb's Kaptol centre.

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