There are wonderful local olive oils and I have listed a few of them in the table on the right hand side. They are generally more expensive than the imported varieties, but they are also better quality.

The Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths and Checkers own label brands of olive oils are not local. With the exception of Woolworths ‘Costas’ brand, the supermarket own label olive oils are imported from Italy and Spain. The Woolworths cooking olive oil is a blend of local and Turkish olive oils. The Food Lovers Signature brand sells one imported olive oil and one marketed as ‘South African’ both at the same price. Note though that the South African one has a ‘Produced in’ rather than a Product of South Africa label, so it’s unclear if the oil is actually made in South Africa from South African olives.

Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths and Checkers do retail local olive oil brands though, and you have an even better choice at farmers’ markets.

My choice for an affordable and delicious local olive oil (extra virgin and cold pressed) is Goedgedacht. And if flavour and price don’t convince you – Goedgedacht is owned by a trust that runs farmers’ employment and farmers’ children’s schooling projects.

A small organic producer of olive oil is [Waterfall River](mailto:atfarm@iafrica.com?subject=Waterfall River olive oil] near Franschhoek.

Freshers (Fruit & Veg City/Food Lovers Market), Pick n’ Pay and Woolworths canola and sunflower oils are produced in South Africa. Let’s hope that means they are grown and not simply processed locally. Checkers and Shoprite sunflower and canola oil is local.