Dutch olive oil embraced by Italians

- For olive oil dealer Ridder Drost, who, as a 17-year-old backpacker in Italy, was caught by the harvest, the highest praise is in. The large Italian multinational Polenghi Group invests in its Dutch company to trade olive oil.

Polenghi becomes a shareholder and for the time being puts 'several tons' in Drosts Liquido d'Oro, which buys olive crops from all over twenty large farmers in Italy. It is a strategic participation. Multinational Polenghi is the world market leader in lemon juice.

'We can sell our olive oil in many more countries through their worldwide network and with all their experience. They see us as an interesting addition to their offer to large companies ', says Drost about the transaction.

Drost also wants to grow online in extra virgin (unprocessed) olive oil. 'But now I am especially proud. It is a crown on your work as an Italian company, where they appreciate good olive oil, will participate in a Dutch olive oil brand. '

Liquido d'Oro started as a small brand in organic olive oil after the wanderings of Ridder Drost in 2009. It resisted the large-scale processed and diluted olive oil. The company now supplies retailers, restaurants and wholesalers in the United Kingdom, Benelux and Germany.

The olive oil trader has tripled in size in the last four years. His annual turnover is around € 2 million, says Drost. With the Italian superpower at his side he thinks he can handle € 10 million in sales. Polenghi's chairman of the board proposes to add Liquido d'Oro primarily as a strong brand.