The Simbòlic olive oil produced by Argo-Sorigué, a company dedicated to the agroindustry from the Sorigué business group, has won the Gold Prize in the Monovarietal category for its Arbequina olive oil at the Japan Olive Oil Prize 2020 (JOOP), one of the world’s most important olive oil competitions.

The Japan Olive Oil Prize (JOOP) is an international competition which aims to promote extra virgin olive oil of all origins. Olive oils from 16 different countries featured in its eighth edition (the prize was created in 2013).  The participating oils were selected based on blind tasting procedures and in compliance with the regulations established by the European Union.

The Simbòlic olive oil is a high-quality extra virgin olive oil produced by Agro-Sorigué in its facilities in La Plana de Corb, Balaguer, Lleida. In La Plana del Corb, Sorigué owns a vast olive plantation and an olive mill, built in 2012. The location of the oil mill reduces the time from harvest to oil production, thus enhancing the end quality achieved. The harvesting system, the mechanisation of processes and the use of cold extraction allow the company to produce superior-quality olive oil.

Agro-Sorigué currently produces three kinds of Simbòlic oils. Arbequina, a monovarietal oil made from a selection of the best Arbequina olives; Coupage, made from the Koroneiki and Arbosona olive varieties, harvested at the peak of ripeness; and Ecologic, made from organically grown Arbequina olives and using an environmentally friendly production system. Its organic production is certified by the Consell Català de la Producció Agrària Ecològica (CCPAE [Catalan Council of Organic Production]).

Sorigué carries out its activities in the agroindustry sector through the company Agro-Sorigué, which operates the agricultural properties and manages the oil mill, a grain dryer and a refrigeration centre. The company operates throughout the whole of its products’ value chain, which is currently divided into the two business lines of extensive crops (feed and grains) and ligneous crops (sweet fruits, olives and almonds).