SEPTEMBER 21, 2012     Today, USAID Mission Director and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Consumer Protection, Ndoc Fasllia, announced the winners of the 2012 olive oil tasting competition supported by USAID, with the assistance of the International Olive Council.  The ceremony was also an opportunity to announce the formation of Albania’s 1st official National Olive Oil Tasting Panel, made possible by six years of USAID-supported training in sensory testing. 

The Ministry of Agriculture has selected the three leaders of the panel.  It is providing space and resources to operate Tasting Panel Rooms within the “Institute of Food Safety and Veterinary” which will begin operations in October. 

USAID is helping to equip the center with furniture and supplies.  This is a significant step for Albania and the olive oil industry to improve the quality, marketing, and international recognition of Albania’s olive oil. 

In the coming months, IOC and the Ministry will begin the procedures for International Recognition/Certification of Albania’s National Tasting Panel.

The following companies participated at the fair:   Shkalla shpk. (Tirana), IVAP shpk. (Tirana), JAL shpk. (Kruja), Tri Vllazën shpk. (Tirana), Subashi shpk. (Marikaj, Tirana), Jukova Jonë shpk. (Saranda), Tre Miqtë shpk. (Ndroq, Tirana), Borsch Hajdini shpk. (Borsch), Kallmeti shpk. (Kallmet, Lezhe).