Baza danych projektów PROW
'Fio Dourado' - A Commitment to High Quality Olive Oil
Summary
A large-scale investment project (with multiple EAFRD funding) aiming to modernise the whole chain of olive oil production and processing in order to further improve product quality and profitability, as well as reduce negative environmental impact.
Background
“Fio Dourado” is a well-known manufacturer of high quality, extra virgin olive oil that works in association with an olive growers producer group (Casa Agrícola Antunes Barroso) and a marketing company (Lagar do Mestre) to manage the entire production and processing chain from intensive olive grove management to pressing, cold extraction, storage, packaging and marketing of olive oil and related products.
Objective
This project is financed under EAFRD measures 121 and 123 and aims to upgrade the production and processing facilities with new technologies that will enable them to: a) increase production of the Arbequina / Arbosana olive varieties; b) meet EU food hygiene standards; c) add further value to their high quality extra-virgin olive oil in response to changing market requirements, and; d) continue promoting overall product quality.
Main activities
Key investments have included: i) planting over 500 ha of new olive grove; ii) purchase of machinery for 21 olive growers; ii) adapting existing buildings and construction of new ones; iii) installation of a new extraction line; iv) purchasing equipment and constructing facilities for using by-products and managing waste water, and; v) installing equipment for batching, filtering and packaging of the olive oil. HACCP training will also be provided for all employees working in the processing unit
Results & Benefits
EAFRD support has: a) helped increase the production of high quality olive oil (for bulk and/or packaged sale) with a good premium price compared to the average market price; b) allowed the processing of olive pomace for local sale as biomass for energy production; c) facilitated the recycling of waste products – notably, olive kernel which is used as fuel for heating water in the processing unit, and the waste water which is used as a potassium-rich fertilizer in the olive groves.
Lessons learnt
This was a complex project requiring the co-ordination of funding from two EAFRD measures – 121 (modernisation of agricultural holdings) and 123 (adding value to agricultural products). Care must be taken to ensure that discrepancies do not occur and that the increases in production capacity are timed to match the necessary increases in processing capacity. Good planning and communication with the Paying Agency is therefore essential.
Project location and other information
Região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Santarém
Region
Lisboa e Vale do Tejo
RDP Territory
Mainland
Total project cost (€)
2 556 352
EAFRD contribution (€)
768 760
National contribution (€)
256 253
Private contribution (€)
1 531 338
Project website
Contact name
João Mendes
Telephone
+351 917 300 413
Languages for contact
French, Spanish, Portuguese
Document attachment
Original Language version
At a glance
Country
Portugal
Final beneficiary type
Producer groups
Budget range
> €500 000
Start date:
01/10/2009
End Date:
31/12/2011
Theme / Measure:
Competitiveness of Agriculture & Forestry
Restructuring, developing physical potential, and promoting innovation
121. Modernisation of agricultural holdings
Keywords:
Olives, Agricultural product quality, Agri-food industry, Modernisation
Last update
19/06/2014