Certified Origins will invest $25 million to establish its first United States production facility in Virginia, according to Glenn Youngkin, the state’s governor.
The facility will create 30 new jobs and include olive oil blending, bottling, packaging and distribution operations.
Nacho Nuez, the company’s managing director, said Certified Origins selected the port city of Newport News, Virginia, to host its first U.S. production center because of its central location, “state-of-the-art” port facilities and highly-educated workforce.
See Also:Trade NewsLocal and state officials all said they were excited to host the Tuscany-based company, which sources and blends extra virgin olive oil from Greece, Italy and Spain to produce the Bellucci brand of olive oil and other private label brands.
“We are excited that Certified Origins has chosen Newport News as the location to build their first American production facility,” said T. Montgomery Mason, a state senator. “The peninsula is an attractive place for both economic development and business expansion with our proximity to the Port of Virginia making the region an ideal spot for imports and exports.”
“Certified Origins has made a name for themselves by developing high-quality, authentic, and traceable olive oil and I am eager to welcome their brand to our community,” he added.
In 2018, the company announced that it would be working with Oracle, the world’s second-largest software firm, to enhance its supply chain traceability.
Using Oracle’s blockchain, the technology that underpins cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, Certified Origins said consumers could track the olives from the groves to the mill and the resulting oil from the mill to the bottling facility and ultimately to the supermarket shelves.
“It adds a further level of transparency and information that is valuable for consumers looking for quality products and helps us support the excellence of small farms,” Andrea Biagianti, Certified Origins’ chief information officer, said at the time.
Related Articles
Mar. 13, 2024
How an Olive Oil Lover Found Success in The US Market
After discovering her passion for extra virgin olive oil in Crete, Joanne Lacina built a successful importing and online retail business in the U.S.
Jul. 19, 2023
Researchers in California Test New Solutions for Olive Fruit Fly
Researchers at the University of California are testing a range of insecticide products for efficacy in controlling olive fruit flies.
Feb. 7, 2024
Traditional Methods, Sicilian Cultivars Help This California Farmer Standout
In northern California, the Bonds nurtures, harvests and mills imported Sicilian varieties to produce their award-winning extra virgin olive oil.
Sep. 20, 2023
Award-Winning Importer Recounts America's Evolving Olive Oil Culture
MillPress Imports co-founder Tim Balshi says quality is key in the competitive U.S. olive oil import market.
Jun. 20, 2023
Reviews Pour in for Starbucks Oleato
From indigestion to pleasantly nutty notes, customers in the United States and Europe have come to mixed conclusions about the olive oil-infused coffee beverages.
Jul. 12, 2023
Quality Places Cambodian Importer on World Stage
Tiger Power imports Tunisian extra virgin olive oil produced on the company farm in Nabeul and sourced from other local growers.
Dec. 5, 2023
An Olive Oil-Centered Curriculum in California Seeks to Help an Ailing County
Despite its agricultural mite, Kern County suffers from elevated levels of food insecurity, obesity and diabetes compared to the rest of the state.
Oct. 17, 2023
Award-Winning Chilean Producer Eyes Lucrative Brazilian Market
Las Doscientos capitalizes on its reputation for quality and free trade advantage to expand its market share in Brazil.