The production of high-quality olive oil must not compromise environmental sustainability or soil health. Healthy soil promotes biodiversity and supports key agronomic functions.
RULES AND GUIDELINES
Selection and evaluation criteria
The Soil O-live project, funded by Horizon Europe, investigates the link between soil health and the quality of olive oils in the Mediterranean. Two project partners, DEOLEO GLOBAL and the University Institute of Research on Olive Grove and Olive Oils (INUO) at the University of Jaén, are organising the Soil Health and Olive Oil Quality Awards with the aim of highlighting soil biodiversity as a key indicator of soil health and promoting excellence in olive oil production in accordance with international standards.
The award selection process will be divided into two parts. Firstly, the Soil O-live scientific committee (hereinafter ‘the Committee’) will examine five replicates of soil samples (a total of 50 grams of topsoil from the 0–20 cm layer) from each olive grove where the oil was produced. The biological parameter chosen to assess soil biodiversity will be Basal Soil Respiration, as set out in the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on soil monitoring and resilience [Soil Monitoring Act, 2023/0232 (COD)]. The Committee shall communicate the results of the Basal Soil Respiration (ug CO2-C g-1 hr-1) to the Competition Jury, ranked from highest to lowest. Olive groves falling within the second quartile of Basal Soil Respiration shall proceed to the olive oil tasting stage. The tasting shall comply with the international quality standards established by the International Olive Council.
Participants must send their soil and olive oil samples (500 ml), correctly labelled, by 30 May to:
‘Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Olivar y Aceites de Oliva (INUO)’ –Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas s/n, Building C-6, Ecology laboratory (Office 114). 23071 Jaén (Spain)
Contact person: Victoria Ochoa Esteban
Contact telephone number and email: +34 953214233/ vochoa@ujaen.es
The following information must be sent along with the sample: Name, company, name of the estate (if applicable), address, contact telephone number and/or email address, and date of sample collection. The geographical coordinates of the plot must also be provided.
The Judging Panel
The panel responsible for assessing entries for the Soil O-live Project competition will be made up of leading experts from institutions such as IFAPA, the University of Jaén and the competition’s sponsors, DEOLEO and INUO-UJA. However, the identities of its members will remain undisclosed until after the decision has been announced. The list of panel members will be available on the project’s website, www.soilolive.eu, and on social media channels. The jury will take all the established criteria into account.
Key dates and prizes
Soil analyses are scheduled for June 2026, followed by an olive oil tasting event. The winners of the best olive oils produced from healthy soils will be announced after the event.
Three prizes will be awarded to the best olive oils produced on healthy soils, in three organoleptic categories: best medium green fruitiness, best intense green fruitiness and best intense ripe fruitiness. In addition, the competition will also include a special award for the healthiest soil amongst all the participating samples. The jury’s decision will be final and the prizes will be presented at a public ceremony.
Acceptance and authorisation
By submitting an entry for the award, you accept the terms and conditions set out in these rules. You also authorise DEOLEO and INUO-UJA to publicise the results of the awards as they see fit.
Please note that DEOLEO and INUO-UJA reserve the right to take any action not provided for in these terms and conditions to ensure the success of the prize. The decisions of these organisations shall not be subject to any claims or challenges.
The Soil O-live project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101091255. Soil O-live is part of the EU Soil Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2021-SOIL-02-03: linking soil health to nutritious and safe food).
Source: Soil O-Live (04/05/2026)
