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Cooperativa Agrícola de l’Albi: extra virgin olive oil since 1919

Since the Cooperativa Agrícola de l’Albi was founded in 1919, our members have worked together to make and bottle 100% Arbequina extra virgin olive oil with the Les Garrigues PDO.

A co-operative rooted in l’Albi

We are the growers and residents of l’Albi. We care for the groves, take responsibility for the oil we make and make sure the value of our work goes back to the people who farm the land.

From the beginning, our aim has been to make extra virgin olive oil with a character of its own, taking the same care in the grove, at the mill and when bottling.

Our Modernista building was designed by Cèsar Martinell, a pupil of Gaudí. It reflects the ties between this place and its olive-growing traditions. Local growers and their families founded the co-operative so that those who worked the land would also share in its rewards.

Arbequina olive trees in l’Albi

1919

Founded

1975

Les Garrigues PDO

Over 64,000

Arbequina olive trees

536 ha

Farmed by our members

L’Albi, Les Garrigues and the origins of our oil

L’Albi lies in the south of Les Garrigues, where olives and almonds shape the dry farmland and local life. Our oil comes from these rolling fields, among patches of woodland and small vegetable gardens beside the Set and Gorgs rivers.

The local soil and demanding climate shape the Arbequina olives. The oil has the fruity aroma of fresh olives, balanced bitterness and pepperiness, and the greenish-yellow colour typical of this area.

Co-operative olive groves in l’Albi, Les Garrigues

Les Garrigues PDO: origin and quality

We have been part of the Les Garrigues Protected Designation of Origin since 1975. Each bottle can be traced to this area and is subject to quality controls.

The PDO certifies the origin of our oil. Physical, chemical and sensory checks establish that it meets the required standards and give our customers a way to verify its quality.

Certified origin

Physical, chemical and sensory checks

Assurance for customers

Official certification

Les Garrigues PDO logo PDO seal

Assurance of origin and quality

Harvesting with care

Our growers tend over 64,000 Arbequina trees on about 536 hectares. Most are over a century old. Local families farm them traditionally, with low yields per tree and small olives prized for their quality.

We harvest mainly by hand, using machinery selectively to help with the work and protect the fruit. Good oil starts in the grove. The olives must reach the mill fresh, whole and healthy, ready to be milled promptly.

Traditionally cultivated olive trees
Traditional farming
Local families have tended these groves for generations.
Olives being carefully harvested
Careful harvesting
Mostly by hand, with machinery used where it can help protect the fruit.
Olives arriving at the mill
From grove to mill
Fresh olives reach the mill quickly to preserve their character.
Olives milled immediately
Prompt milling
Working quickly helps preserve extra virgin quality.

At the mill: care for every batch

In 1995 we modernised the facilities with a two-phase mill. It gives us greater control of extraction so we can bring out the best in each harvest.

We check the condition, quality and yield of incoming olives. Once approved, each batch is graded and milled as soon as possible to preserve the fruit.

Our small co-operative works with growers from the surrounding area. Limited production lets us give each batch the time and attention it needs.

Bottling virgin olive oil at the co-operative

Checks on every batch

Milled as soon as possible

Small-scale production

Quality checks throughout

Integrated production

At every stage

Mechanical extraction only

Oil obtained directly from the olives

No preservatives or colourings

Just the juice of fresh olives

How we care for the land and our oil

Integrated production and quality

We follow integrated production guidelines in the grove, at harvest and during milling. This helps us reduce the use of chemicals, use supplementary irrigation and conserve native plants and the surrounding environment.

Our superior-category extra virgin olive oil is obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means. It contains no preservatives, colourings or chemical agents. It is the juice of fresh olives, carefully made and free from sensory defects.

International recognition

Our work in the groves and at the mill has been recognised internationally. In the 2025/26 season, our Arbequina oil and Nit received awards in leading olive oil competitions.

LIOOC 2025 quality gold
Gold
London International Olive Oil Competition
Olio Nuovo Days 2026 - Silver
Silver
Olio Nuovo Days 2026 – Paris Quality Awards
Berlin GOOA Silver 2025
Silver
Berlin Global Olive Oil Awards
NYIOOC Silver 2025
Silver
NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition

Professional tasters assess the oils under rigorous controls alongside entries from around the world. These awards recognise the care our growers and millers put into their work.

See all awards
Olive leaf

From our groves to your table

Our history, the land, the harvest, the milling and the awards all tell the same story: we make extra virgin olive oil with care, respect for the fruit and deep roots in l’Albi.

Cooperativa de l'Albi
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