Fourth Edition of Fundación Juan Ramón Guillén Awards recognises the olive sector

The fourth edition of the Fundación Juan Ramón Guillén Awards, supported by EIT Food, Caja Rural de Jaén and Coosur, celebrated initiatives driving innovation and development in the Spanish olive sector. More than 200 people attended the ceremony at Hacienda Guzmán in La Rinconada, Seville.

Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, Andalusian Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, praised the foundation’s work in promoting the olive sector and congratulated the award winners for being “the best ambassadors of the quality and excellence achieved in the olive sector.” He highlighted Andalusia’s leading role in olive oil exports, noting that the region accounts for over 72% of Spain’s total export volume, reaching 135 international markets.

Álvaro Guillén, trustee of the foundation and director at Acesur, underlined the strategic importance of the sector for the Spanish economy, combining tradition and innovation while facing challenges such as internationalisation, climate change, technological innovation, sustainability, and generational renewal.

Juan Núñez, president of Caja Rural de Jaén, emphasised the vital role of agriculture in local communities, describing the countryside as “not just about the economy: it represents employment, roots and life.”

This year’s awards recognised:

• José María García – Young Farmer

• Bioliza project, Recursos Estratégicos S.L. – Olive Rural Innovation

• Sicloo, Frutas Calero S.L. – European category: New Business Ideas Transforming the Olive Value Chain (supported by EIT Food).

• Professor Luis Rallo – Lifetime achievement

Two runner-up prizes were also awarded to Botellas con Alma, Almazaras de la Subbética and MM Paper Bottle, MM Packaging Solutions Ibérica for their innovation.