Finagra entered the olive oil market in 1997 when it set up SPAZA – Sociedade Produtora de Azeites do Alentejo, whose aim was to develop and enhance the production and commercialisation of traditional Portuguese produce, with special focus on virgin olive oil.

Esporão, Azeites, Lda’s first major investment was the acquisition of a modern olive pressing plant at a cost of 2,000,000 Euros. Located in Serpa, this plant was chosen not only because of the technology it boasted but also because it was located close to the demarcated zone of Baixo Alentejo where the renowned “D.O.P. Moura” olive oils are made.

The pressing plant has a maximum production capacity of 1 million litres a year, which allows the development of the production and commercialization of good value virgin olive oils.
To guarantee the quality of its raw materials, apart from the 82 hectares of olive trees planted on the Herdade do Esporão, Esporão, Azeites, Lda has created a strong nucleus of 20 of the best olive growers in the region, who receive training and support throughout the year, with the aim of using the correct procedures to obtain the best olive varieties possible.