The Olive Industry in South Africa is comparatively young when compared with Mediterranean countries where olives have been cultivated for many centuries.

De Hoop Farm, uniquely situated adjacent to Main Road, has played a pioneering role in the development of the olive industry. The farm’s ancient avenue of olive trees dates back to the earliest plantings on the farm and in 1907 De Hoop’s olive oil was voted the “best olive oil in the empire” at a London show.

The real start of olive growing as a commercial enterprise in South Africa was made in 1925 when Fernando Costa purchased a farm in Paarl and began to concentrate on olive growing. He named the farm “Nervi” after his birthplace, a seaside resort near Genoa in Italy. Fernando Costa is widely acknowledged as “The father of the Olive Industry in South Africa”.

Olives require significantly less water than other fruit crops. The traditional “olive climate” is characterised by mild winters and the summers are dry and hot. A long, sunny, warm summer promotes oil accumulation, fruit growth and fruit colour development.

Join an olive and olive oil tasting tour and savour the quality of our Extra Virgin Olive Oils and other olive products.

Join an Olive tasting tour and savour the quality of our Extra Virgin Olive Oils and other olive products.