Aragón Recognizes the Protected Designation of Origin for Somontano Oil
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food of the Government of Aragón, Javier Rincón, celebrated in Barbastro the European recognition of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for Somontano Oil. The registration was formalized on November 11 in the Official Journal of the European Union through Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2260, consolidating the legal and commercial protection of the product across Europe.
Somontano Oil is characterized by exclusive organoleptic profiles with intense green fruity notes and hints of olive, grass, leaf, almond, and tomato. It is primarily produced using native varieties such as Albareta, Alcampelina, Gordal del Somontano, Verdeña, Injerto, Mochuto, and Negral de Bierge. The regulations stipulate that at least 85% of the oil must come from these local varieties to ensure authenticity and a connection to the region.
The PDO covers 42 municipalities in Somontano, with Barbastro as the main hub. It currently includes five registered oil mills: Aceites Noguero (Barbastro), Aceites Hermanos Ferrer (Bierge), Hacienda Agrícola Ecostean (Costean), Cooperativa La Unión (Salas Altas), and Cooperativa San Antonio (Barbastro).
Minister Rincón emphasized that the European recognition strengthens Aragón’s commitment to quality and differentiation of its agri-food products, generating added value for the region and new marketing opportunities. The European label guarantees control and traceability through a numbered label on each package featuring the PDO logo and the symbol of the European Union.
