Ultra Extra Association – Co-founder of the OLEUM PRIMUM DALMATICUM Club and the ULTRA VIRGIN category
Dalmatian olive growing has taken an important step toward stronger recognition and additional valorization of top-quality olive oils. The Ultra Extra Association proudly participates as one of the co-founders of the Club of Olive Growers’ Associations OLEUM PRIMUM DALMATICUM, an initiative that brings together olive growers and olive-growing associations from across Dalmatia with a clear goal – branding and promoting the highest quality of Dalmatian extra virgin olive oil.
The central element of this initiative is the introduction of a new, unofficial but strictly defined quality category – ULTRA VIRGIN, intended for olive oils that exceed the standard criteria of extra virgin olive oil.
Why ULTRA VIRGIN?
Dalmatian olive oils have been winning top awards at national and international competitions for many years. The ULTRA VIRGIN category was created to further highlight this level of excellence, clearly communicate it to consumers, and build a strong regional identity based on:
- premium quality
- autochthonous Dalmatian olive varieties
- modern production methods faithful to tradition
The ULTRA VIRGIN label is not a replacement for existing categories, but an upgrade – a guarantee that the oil belongs to the very top of quality.
Strict and measurable quality criteria
To carry the ULTRA VIRGIN designation, an olive oil must meet clearly defined and verifiable conditions.
Chemical analysis, conducted by the Institute of Public Health Split, requires:
- free fatty acids ≤ 0.4 g/100 g
- peroxide value < 8
- total polyphenols > 300 mg/kg
Sensory (organoleptic) analysis, also performed by the authorized panel of the Institute of Public Health Split, must confirm a pronounced oil profile:
- fruitiness ≥ 3
- bitterness ≥ 3
- pungency ≥ 3
- sum of medians ≥ 10
Additionally, the oil must be produced from Dalmatian olive varieties – either as a monovarietal oil (minimum 80%) or as a blend with at least 50% Dalmatian varieties.
Special emphasis is placed on harvest and processing: olives must be harvested manually or with hand-held shakers, and processed on the same day to ensure maximum freshness and quality preservation.
As an additional confirmation of excellence, the oil must have received a gold or silver medal at an international competition and at the Noćnjak event.
Quality certificate and joint promotion
Olive growers who meet the requirements gain the right to use the ULTRA VIRGIN label, as well as the certificate of the OLEUM PRIMUM DALMATICUM Club – a confirmation of exceptional quality and expert evaluation.
Participation in the project also opens opportunities for:
- joint promotional activities
- education and professional workshops
- increased visibility of Dalmatian olive oil on domestic and international markets
Call to members of the Ultra Extra Association
The Ultra Extra Association invites all its members to join this initiative and become part of a story that strengthens the identity, recognition, and value of Dalmatian olive oil.
The criteria for the ULTRA VIRGIN designation are set realistically and in line with the quality level our members already achieve. This project is not only a confirmation of past work, but also an incentive for further development and excellence.
For all information and required documentation, please contact the Association’s official email: ultra.extra.skz@gmail.com
