Mardouw Olive Estate, South Africa’s most awarded producer of extra virgin olive oil, continues to consolidate its international reputation through a combination of sustainability leadership, consistent quality, and strategic expansion into the European market.
In a strong expression of its environmental commitment, Mardouw recently hosted a meaningful ceremony at its estate in collaboration with the Verder Group. On Saturday, 18 May 2024, more than 2,000 olive trees were planted at Mardouw—one for every employee of the Verder Group worldwide. The initiative reflects a shared vision of responsible growth and long-term stewardship of the environment.
The ceremony was opened by Richard Hattersley, Managing Director of Verder Scientific South Africa, together with Mardouw CEO Gerbrand Nijman. Mayor Schalk van Eden attended the event, as did Nina Verder on behalf of the Verder family. The Verder Group, a global technology leader active in approximately 25 countries, has placed sustainability at the core of its operations and chose Mardouw as its partner in South Africa to manifest this commitment locally.
“In partnership with Mardouw Olive Estate, we have undertaken a project that symbolizes our dedication to reducing our ecological footprint,” Richard Hattersley said. “By planting an olive tree for each of our employees, we demonstrate our belief in collective action and our commitment to a healthier and more sustainable world. This is what we call ‘enabling progress’ at the Verder Group.”
Gerbrand Nijman underlined the alignment of values between the two partners. “At Mardouw, we uphold the highest standards of quality, recognised worldwide through platinum and gold awards in Europe, the United States, and South America. It is an honour to welcome these more than 2,000 trees to our farm and to care for them as part of our long-term contribution to both excellence in olive oil production and environmental responsibility.”
Alongside these sustainability milestones, Mardouw is now making its first retail steps in the Netherlands. Mardouw XXV Ultra and Superior Extra Virgin Olive Oils are now available in Wassenaar, located on the main shopping street, De Langstraat 39. This marks Mardouw’s first retail presence in the Netherlands, a significant milestone welcomed by the estate as its products reach consumers in one of the country’s most distinguished villages.
Further expansion is already underway. Mardouw has received its first order from a specialty store in Hilversum, where the oils are expected to be available by the end of January.
The year 2025 has proven to be an exceptional one for Mardouw Olive Estate. For the fourth consecutive year, the estate was recognised as the most awarded extra virgin olive oil producer in South Africa, reflecting the remarkable consistency and quality of its EVOOs. Internationally, Mardouw was honoured in Rome with the award for the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil of the Southern Hemisphere, reinforcing its standing among the world’s elite producers.
Most recently, Mardouw received the news that it will enter the Top 25 Extra Virgin Olive Oils of the World, with the final results to be announced in mid-January 2026. This achievement signals a very promising start to the new year and serves as a strong encouragement for the entire Mardouw team.
With deep roots in sustainability, growing recognition across continents, and a clear footprint in the Netherlands, Mardouw Olive Estate continues to demonstrate that excellence, responsibility, and international ambition can go hand in hand.
