Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVO) is not only a fundamental ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, but also represents a healthy lifestyle recognised worldwide. Its organoleptic and nutritional properties, including its high content of polyphenols and monounsaturated fats, make it a key element of the Mediterranean diet, often considered a model of healthy and sustainable eating. Today, thanks to innovation and international collaboration, European EVO is increasingly finding its way into Asian markets, where interest in healthy, high-quality foods is growing. This is clear to Unaprol – Consorzio Olivicolo Italiano – and CAP – Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal, which, with the support of the European Union, are continuing their efforts through the EnjoyEvoo project. The three-year initiative aims to promote certified extra virgin olive oil – with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Organic (BIO) – in the Japanese and Taiwanese markets, promoting not only its organoleptic qualities, but also the cultural and health heritage it represents, through a coordinated set of promotional activities, tastings, press initiatives and digital marketing in perfect synergy with each other.

In recent years, international studies and articles have highlighted a growing interest in Asian markets for the Mediterranean diet and its health principles. A publication in MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, highlighted how the Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese lifestyle share similar health characteristics: rich in polyphenols, high consumption of plant-based foods and low intake of ultra-processed foods. This health parallel opens up new perspectives for food education and the promotion of sustainable nutritional habits, strengthening the role of European EVO not only as a food product but also as a symbol of shared culture and health.

But how can we guarantee that the oil is truly high quality? The answer lies in certifications, which are a key element of trust for Asian consumers and are at the heart of EnjoyEvoo’s strategy:

• The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) guarantees that the oil comes from a specific geographical area, with strictly controlled production, processing and manufacturing methods.
• The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) ensures that at least one stage of production takes place in the area of origin, protecting the authenticity and quality of the product.
• The BIO certification attests that the oil comes from organic farming, complying with strict criteria of environmental sustainability and the absence of synthetic chemicals.

These certifications not only confer transparency and quality on the product, but also become a fundamental tool for communicating values such as sustainability, tradition and innovation in foreign markets.

For further information on the EnjoyEVOO project and European certifications, please visit the official website https://enjoyevoo.eu/ and follow the updates on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.