Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Croatia

Where the oil comes from

Croatian extra virgin olive oil grows along the Adriatic, densest in Istria and with a smaller, older tradition further south in Dalmatia.

Istria is home to Buža, Istarska Bjelica and Rožinjola, grown alongside Italian cultivars such as Leccino and Frantoio. In Dalmatia the local tree is Oblica.

Harvest arrives in autumn. October is the month when most groves come in.

There are currently 156 extra virgin olive oils from 43 producers across 26 regions in Croatia. 115 are marked available.

Among the harvest dates on these listings, most fall in October (46 of 61). In the northern hemisphere, picking usually comes in autumn. Individual groves can run earlier or later.

Varieties that appear most often: Leccino (45), Buža (42), Istarska Bjelica (37), Pendolino (22), Frantoio (20).