A Blend of Tradition and Innovation: Lučka Olive – A Success Story

In the Tuzi Plain, at the foot of Dečić Hill, in the area known as Lučka, generations of local families cultivated the land. Branches of the Cijevna River, fed by its tributary Rujela, irrigated fields of wheat, maize, and other crops. This rich agricultural heritage became the inspiration behind the creation of the Lučka Olive brand.

Emin and Selma Hadži started with only a few olive trees and a vision to revive this tradition, while adding a modern perspective to olive cultivation.

"Olive trees here were mostly planted as ornamental trees. We wanted to continue our family's agricultural tradition, but with a more ambitious approach. Our idea was to establish a serious olive grove, and we decided that olives would become our future," recalls Emin Hadži.

There is a saying that an olive tree does not bear fruit until it learns to grow on stone. Whether cultivated on the rocky Adriatic coast or in the Skadar Lake basin, olive growing requires dedication, patience, and perseverance—qualities that have defined the Hadži family from the very beginning.

Today, more than a decade later, the family manages over 3,500 olive trees and operates the first modern olive mill of its kind in continental Montenegro.

The olive processing facility was established with the support of the European Union through the IPARD Programme. The project enabled the construction of a modern processing plant that fully complies with European standards, as well as the installation of state-of-the-art equipment for processing, bottling, labelling, and storing extra virgin olive oil.

"Through the IPARD Programme, we purchased the latest olive processing machine with a capacity of around 600 kilograms per hour. We also invested in bottling equipment, which has significantly accelerated the filling process, as well as machines for labelling and sealing bottles," explains Selma Hadži.

This support proved instrumental in turning the family's vision into reality—a successful combination of tradition, innovation, and European quality standards.

In addition to producing and processing Montenegro's officially awarded best olive oil, the company has developed the country's first olive leaf extract. Their product range also includes natural olive oil soaps and a healing balm made from olive oil and immortelle (Helichrysum italicum).

"Our olive grove is located just a short distance from the processing facility. It is extremely important that the olives are transported directly to the mill immediately after harvesting. Processing begins without delay, which is the key to producing premium-quality extra virgin olive oil," says Selma, describing the production process.

Lučka Olive is also the only olive mill in the region to integrate artificial intelligence into its olive processing system. The technology was developed in cooperation with a team of researchers from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Montenegro.

By combining advanced digital technologies with traditional agriculture, Lučka Olive is setting new standards for the future of olive production. The company demonstrates how innovation, sustainability, and respect for tradition can successfully coexist, creating products of exceptional quality while strengthening the competitiveness of Montenegro's agri-food sector.