Olivo de ILO is recognized as Heritage Olive Tree of South America in the first international competition
Moquegua, December 11, 2020 – The olive tree called the Quadricentennial of Poquera, located in the district of El Algarrobal, in province of Ilo, won the Heritage Olive Tree of South America in the first edition of the International Competition for the Enhancement of Heritage Olive Trees in America – Sudoliva 2020, December 10.
Peru, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay and the United States, participated in the International Competition of Heritage Olive Trees that seeks to recognize the most ancient olive trees and establish a tourist route of the olive tree in America.
The Heritage Olive Tree of America was obtained by the Arauco’s Quadricentennial Olive Tree presented by the Chamber of Olive Industries of La Rioja in Argentina. The Heritage Olive Tree of South America was obtained by Poquera’s Quadricentennial Olive Treem whichcan be found on the property of Flor de Maria Mejia, located in Ilo, Peru. Finally, the Heritage Olive Tree of North America was obtained by a Criollo Olive Tree of the Municipality of Chimalhuacan de Xochiaca in Mexico.
Likewise, the Albertico de Osmore olive tree, found on the property of Aurora Herrera, was awarded the Gold Medal as a Heritage Olive Tree of the Moquegua region. The honorable mentions by country were for the Olive tree of Rafael Gallegos de Yauca as the Heritage Olive Tree of Peru, the Heritage Olive Tree of Chile went to the Lord of Ocurica de Azapa, the Heritage Olive Tree of Argentina went to Olivícola LAUR,the Heritage Olive Tree of Uruguay went to the Olive tree of Barrio Peñarol, the Heritage Olive Tree of Brazil went to the olive tree of Poços de Caldas, and finally, The Heritage Olive Tree of the United States went to the Olive tree of Bel Asher’s House in Asherton Texas.
The winners will be recognized as Monumental Trees, a Gold Medal for having obtained the best scores among the 24 participating olive trees, and will also be recognized with a Diploma of Honor and will be part of the Olive Tree Tourist Route in America. The participating olive trees of El Algarrobal valley belong to the Criolla or Sevillana variety of Peru and date back more than 400 years.
As recalled, last November 26th, the regional governor of Moquegua, Prof. Zenón Cuevas Pare, made the official launch of this competition in the region with the aim of obtaining recognition and inserting the ancient olive trees of the valley of El Algarrobal in the tourist route of the olive tree in America.
The Regional Government of Moquegua, through the Regional Management of Foreign Trade and Tourism, will continue to promote the participation of our local producers in national and international competitions.