Tunis: Tunisia has bagged 15 prizes out of a total of 33 at the 24th edition of the Mario Solinas Quality Award for extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) from the northern hemisphere, the National Olive Oil Office (ONH) said Tuesday. This is the first time that Tunisia has beaten Spain (12 awards) in this competition organised every year by the International Olive Oil Council. Two gold medals were awarded to "Adonis Olive Oil" and "Domaine Fendri". Alghalia Natural, Maternis Oil and Junca Products each won a silver medal. Two bronze medals were also awarded to Olea Kotti and Cho Compagny. Eight other Tunisian producers reached the finals and won prizes. They were "Um Al Janna", "Spal/ Parcelle 26", "Etablissement Hatem Chaabane", "Garrach Foods Naa", "Tuzmurt", "Barhoumi Olive Oil", "Mediterroir" and "Hinoilev". One hundred and thirteen oils from ten countries, including Tunisia, Algeria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and China, took part in this year's event, according to a press release f rom ONH. The oils were submitted by individual producers, producer associations and packaging companies. The Mario Solinas Quality Award, which has been running since the 2000/2001 campaign, aims to highlight the quality of EVOOs produced worldwide. The competition encourages individual producers, producer associations and packers in producer countries to market vegetable olive oils with harmonious organoleptic characteristics. It also aims to raise consumer awareness of this unique product and encourage them to recognise and appreciate the sensory attributes of these quality olive oils. The awards ceremony will take place during the 119th session of the IOOC Council of Members in June 2024, according to the International Olive Oil Council. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse