The fact that he has been intensively engaged in olive growing for less than fifteen years did not bother him Anto Đeljošević (63) from Ulcinj to climb on the podium of the prestigious international manifestation of olive and oil growers "Noćnjak", which has traditionally been held in Croatia for decades, in a short period of time.
In the competition of 360 exhibitors from Croatia, Slovenia, BiH and Montenegro, at the 26th "Nightmare" held in Zadar in mid-March this year, Đeljošević received a silver medal for the quality of extra virgin packaging. Last year, in Tučepi, at the 25th manifestation, in the competition of 380 exhibitors, the native of Ulcinj won gold in the same category...
Medals, however, were not "brought" by the olive grove. His modest olive grove in Briska Gora has about one hundred trees. The entire yield, he says, goes to the production of extra virgin oil only.
"From 100 kilograms of fruit, I get from 8 to 11 liters of extra virgin oil. Last year there were 450 liters and this year it was barely 200. The crop does not depend only on me", says Đeljošević.
At "Noćnjaci", he presented his oil "Ora" in the competition of multi-variety oils.
"In the olive grove, I grow lecino, koretina, oblica, pendolino and ascolana varieties. These are so-called hybrid varieties because they grow next to each other," explains Đeljošević.
Last year in Tučepi, almost 94 points from the jury were enough for gold. This year, gold eluded him by less than four points - he scored just over 86.
"For gold, the oil must be worth between 90 and 100 points, and for silver from 80 to 90. I'm not afraid of competition, and next year I'm going to Dalmatia to get a medal, I hope it's the best," Đeljošević is convinced.
The last word about the quality of his oil, until the next manifestation, is still those who buy his product.
"Everyone who takes it once, buys it again. That's enough for me," says Đeljošević.
So far, he has had no help from either the state or local level.
"I will soon contact the Ministry of Agriculture with a request to dig a well. I have space on the property for about 80-100 more olive roots. In order to succeed in this, I need water, and it is at a depth of about 100-120 meters. The costs are not small, but I believe that the Ministry will meet my needs", says Đeljošević.
For now, he points out, he manages as he knows how.
"I'm not a big producer, I don't have large quantities. What I produce, I sell in Podgorica, Nikšić and of course Ulcinj, especially in the summer when tourists come. I don't go for quantity, but for quality".
Sales, he says, mostly cover costs.
In the same place, in addition to the olive grove, Đeljošević also has a tangerine plantation with about 800 roots. Because of olives, there is not much time for tangerines.
"I sell all crops on the spot, mostly to buyers".
Đeljošević spent his working life as an employee of Crnogorska kommercielja banka. He has been retired since last year, so, as he says, he has more time to dedicate himself to the olive grove. He is an example of how, even in modest conditions and with not great yields, excellent results can be achieved, which not only promote him and the product, but also the city and country from which he comes.
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