World Olive Picking Championship | Unique Competition Held in Postira on Brač

The World Olive Picking Championship takes place every October in Postira on Brač and is considered one of the most unusual competitions related to olive cultivation in Europe. The event was initiated in 2017 to promote the Brač tradition of olive growing, olive oil production, and life in the island's olive groves.

The competition is held in the olive groves above Postira, most commonly in the St. Joseph olive grove, where teams from various countries compete in traditional hand olive picking. Each team consists of two women and two men, and the olives are picked using the traditional Brač method — by hand, with the use of "saketa," traditional jute aprons used to collect the fruits before transferring them to crates.

A unique aspect of the championship is that it includes countries that do not have a developed olive-growing tradition. Over the years, teams from across Europe have participated, as well as participants from countries that do not have a single olive tree. This makes the event more of an international gathering and cultural exchange than a classic sporting competition.

In addition to the olive picking itself, the program includes olive oil tastings, workshops, tours of Brač, evening festivities, and social gatherings in Postira. During the competition weekend, the entire town becomes filled with visitors, fans, and participants, and restaurants and waterfronts remain active late into the evening.

The event has gained recognition beyond Croatia, winning the 2019 international award from the Creative Tourism Network in the category of best creative tourism experience.

For visitors, the championship is interesting as it provides an opportunity to see what traditional olive picking looks like on Brač, as well as to experience local gastronomy, olive culture, and life in the island's interior during autumn, when the main tourist season concludes.

Current information, competition dates, and team announcements are typically published through the official channels of the Postira Tourist Board.

Event and Program Tracking:
Postira Tourist Board – Facebook