Good afternoon everyone, it is indeed a great pleasure to participate again in this international contest!
I wish to thank the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan for organizing the event, the members of the jury board for their hard work, and the producers – starting from the Italian ones – for their participation with very exceptional products.
The competition among so many extra-virgin olive oil producers from all over the world shows how important the Japanese market is and, as Ambassador of Italy, I am very proud and pleased to see so many Italian brands competing, also this year, for the JOOP.
Extra-virgin olive oil is one of the most symbolic products among the many excellent Italian agrifood products, a key element of the Mediterranean Diet, and an irreplaceable ingredient of our worldwide famous cuisine. I am therefore certain that our products will be once again the benchmark in this competition.
Wishing the best for our producers, I say to all participants in bocca al lupo, vinca il migliore!