Following an objection by Slovenia, a new PDO application for Istrian olive oil will be submitted to the European Commission jointly by Slovenia and Croatia.
Slovenia has opposed Croatia’s application for PDO status for Istrian extra virgin olive oil, citing potential confusion due to shared geographical area. After objections were raised, the two countries agreed to submit a joint application for PDO status for olive oil from Croatian and Slovenian Istria, extending the production area and olive varieties allowed under the proposed agreement.
Slovenia has lodged a notice of opposition to the application for PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) for Istrian extra virgin olive oil submitted by Croatia to the European Commission.
Istrian extra virgin olive oil received PDO status at the national level in early 2015, after which an application for the same recognition at the EU level was submitted in July 2015. After being examined for “receivability,” the application was published in the European Commission’s Official Journal on March 23, 2016.
Following the date of publication, there was a three-month period during which objections could be raised. A notice of opposition was lodged by Slovenia one day before the end of this three-month deadline over the proposed appellation “Istarsko ekstra djevičansko maslinovo ulje” (Istrian extra virgin olive oil).
The proposed appellation may cause confusion, Slovenia argued, as both countries share the same geographical area. Olive oil from Slovenian Istria has had EU PDO status since February 2007 under the appellation “Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre” (Extra virgin olive oil from Slovenian Istria).
Istria is a peninsula in the North Adriatic sea shared by three countries: Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. While 90% of the geographical peninsula is located in Croatia, a north-western strip is part of Slovenia, and a tiny area of its northern tip is located in Italy near the port city of Trieste.
In December 2016, working meetings were held in the Croatian capital of Zagreb between the Croatian ministry of agriculture and Slovenian counterparts to reach an agreement. As a result, the two countries will be submitting a joint application for PDO status of olive oil from Croatian and Slovenian Istria.
The proposal is that all olive oil produced on the entire Istrian peninsula will be marked with the appellation ISTRA (the Croatian and Slovenian name for Istria). Under the agreement, the production area has been extended to the Slovenian municipalities of Koper, Piran, Koper and Izola. This will also include Liburnia: a section of Istria’s north-western coast that falls under the political boundaries of the Primorsko-Goranska Region of Croatia.
The list of olive varieties has been extended to include Buga, Drobnica, Mata, Plominka, Storta and Maurino. Also, a new proposed logo has been created featuring stylized green and black olive-shaped circles with green drops. Under the proposal, olive producers from the region will be able to process their olives in any mill located in either the Croatian or Slovenian part of Istria.
Croatia and Slovenia already share a PDO for Istrian prosciutto — cured ham from Istria — registered in October 2015. The only other EU food product to have joint PDO status shared between two countries is Polish and Lithuanian honey, registered in 2012.
More articles on: Croatia, Protected Designation of Origin, Slovenia
Oct. 18, 2024
Team Lithuania Triumphs at Seventh Olive Picking Championship
In addition to the competitive part of the program, numerous tastings, excursions and social events were held in Brač, which boasts a centuries-old olive oil-producing tradition.
Mar. 27, 2025
Young Croatian Grower Wins International Acclaim for Oil from Historic Grove
Young Croatian grower Stjepan Dević wins international acclaim at the NYIOOC for his award-winning olive oil, produced from a historic grove.
Sep. 9, 2024
Slovenian Cooperative Focuses on Phenol Levels
Danijel Stojković Kukulin believes the high-phenolic segment of the olive oil market will continue to grow as he pushes his production to new heights.
Sep. 23, 2024
Croatian County Recognizes the Role of Award-Winning Producers in Promoting Tourism
A ceremony in Zadar connected the efforts to develop local tourism with high-quality olive oils, wines and cheeses.
Apr. 10, 2025
Liguria Region Launches Innovative Olive Farming Project with AI and Smart Sensors
Liguria, Italy funds experimental project using smart sensors, AI, and drones to optimize olive farming and improve quality of Riviera Ligure PDO oil.
Sep. 18, 2024
Producers in Herzegovina Celebrate New PDO
Local officials say the Zlatne Kapi Protected Designation of Origin will raise the profile of local olive oils and promote tourism.
Jul. 20, 2024
Umbria Blazes the Trail of Year-Round Oleotourism
Traditionally confined to the harvest season, producers, restaurateurs and tourism officials in Umbria are working to turn extra virgin olive oil into a year-round attraction.
Jul. 9, 2024
Enhancing Excellence: How the World's Best Restaurant Uses Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Locally sourced extra virgin olive oil is an essential ingredient for the Michelin-star chefs at Disfrutar Barcelona and their award-winning tasting menu.