Oblica is the most widespread olive variety in Croatia and the foundation of Dalmatian olive growing. It develops a moderately vigorous tree with a rounded, umbrella-shaped canopy and shows good adaptation to dry conditions.
The leaf is elliptical and grey-green in colour, and during drought it curls spirally to reduce water loss. The fruit is round, with variable weight depending on growing conditions, and has a moderate oil content. This is a dual-purpose variety, suitable both for oil production and for table olives. It is partially self-fertile and prone to alternate bearing, which is why pollinators are required.
It tolerates low temperatures, drought, and olive knot disease well. The oil is balanced, smooth, and recognizable for its classic Dalmatian oil character.
Levantinka is a Dalmatian variety, strongly associated with the island areas of central Dalmatia.
The tree is vigorous and blooms abundantly, and its yield is generally regular and stable. The fruit is medium-sized with a moderate oil content. This variety is more sensitive to cold and drought compared to Oblica, but adapts well to windy locations. Levantinka is a very good pollinator and is often planted in mixed olive groves.
The oil is of good quality, with a balanced and clean oil character. It plays an important role in the stability of traditional groves’ yields. It is often used as a supporting variety alongside Oblica.
Lastovka is an indigenous variety of southern Dalmatia, particularly present in the island areas.
It develops a moderately vigorous tree with low branching and a rounded canopy. The leaves are small, lance-shaped, and dark green. The fruits are small, remain on the tree for a long time, and contain about 20% oil.
This variety is sensitive to low temperatures and requires sheltered locations. The yield is regular thanks to good self-fertility. The fruit is used exclusively for oil production.
The oil is intensely bitter and pungent, with a very high content of phenolic compounds.
Krvavica is an indigenous olive variety widespread in Northern Dalmatia and the hinterland of Šibenik.
The tree shows good adaptability to cooler and more continental growing conditions. Productivity is regular and reliable.
The fruits are medium-sized, and the oil has a strong and distinctive character. The oil is characterized by pronounced bitterness and pungency. The variety produces stable oils that are resistant to oxidation.
Krvavica is often mentioned as a good pollinator variety. It is particularly valued for producing distinctive varietal oils with a strong profile.
Dužica is a variety that appears less frequently in cultivation, most often as individual trees.
The tree is moderately vigorous and requires the presence of other varieties for pollination. This variety is sensitive to low temperatures and is better suited for warmer locations. The fruits are larger compared to most Dalmatian varieties. Due to the fruit size, it can also be used for table olives.
Oil production is not its primary purpose. The oil yield is low and variable. Dužica requires careful selection of micro-location and surrounding varieties.
Istarska Bjelica is a local variety most closely associated with Istria and Kvarner, but it is increasingly planted in other areas as well. The tree is vigorous, with a dense canopy and upright, strong branches.
The leaf is narrow, long, and slightly spirally twisted, and the inflorescence is medium-length with about twenty flowers. The fruit is medium-sized, golden-green to light yellow when ripe. The oil content in the fruit is around 21%. This variety produces regularly and abundantly, although young trees reach full production later. It is resistant to low temperatures, wind, olive knot, and peacock spot.
The oil is strong, intensely bitter and pungent, and very stable.
Frantoio is a variety of Italian origin, also present in Croatian olive groves. The tree is moderately vigorous and provides stable yields.
The fruits are medium-sized with good oil content. This variety is used exclusively for oil production.
The oil is aromatic and recognizable for its herbal and green notes. Frantoio is often used as a pollinator for other varieties. It fits well in mixed groves. It is considered a variety with reliable sensory potential.
Leccino is the most widespread introduced olive variety in Croatia.
The tree is vigorous, with a dense canopy that takes on a drooping appearance under the weight of the fruit. The fruits are medium-sized and ripen evenly. This variety enters production early and yields regularly. It is resistant to low temperatures but sensitive to certain pests. The oil varies depending on the harvest time, ranging from fresh and fruity to a milder profile. Leccino is an allogamous variety and requires pollinators. It is often planted due to its adaptability and stability.
The oil is characterized by pronounced bitterness and pungency. This variety produces stable oils that are resistant to oxidation. Krvavica is often mentioned as a good pollinator. Leccino is particularly valued for producing distinctive varietal oils with a strong profile.
Pendolino is an Italian variety, recognizable by its bent, drooping growth and decorative canopy.
The tree is moderately vigorous and enters production early. The canopy is dense, with long and flexible fruiting branches. The fruits are small, elongated, and slightly asymmetrical. The oil content is around 20–22%. This variety is highly adaptable to different soils. Pendolino is one of the most important pollinators in olive groves.
The oil is light, harmonious, and mild in bitterness and pungency.
Coratina is a variety of Italian origin, known for its high oil content.
The fruits are medium-sized and oval-shaped. This variety is moderately sensitive to the olive fruit fly and low temperatures, and cultivation is recommended in warmer, sheltered locations. Due to its higher sensitivity to olive knot, peacock spot, and verticillium wilt, careful site selection and good grove ventilation are required.
The oil has a strong and intense oil character. It is distinguished by pronounced bitterness and pungency. Due to its high oil stability, it is valued in processing. Careful determination of the harvest time is required. This variety is considered suitable for producing intense oils.