Zlas — artisanal extra virgin olive oil from Bouhajla

In brief

  • Who? A brand owned by Mustafa Mtiraoui, a small producer / miller from the Bouhajla region. No formal company name has been identified.
  • Region: Bouhajla (Bouhajla delegation, Kairouan governorate, central Tunisia).
  • Positioning: artisanal terroir oil, internationally awarded, but a small-producer brand without an established distribution network or website.

Overview

Zlas is an olive oil brand owned by Mustafa Mtiraoui, a small producer / miller from the Bouhajla region. No formal company name has been identified.

Production is located in Bouhajla (Bouhajla delegation, Kairouan governorate, central Tunisia).

The brand became known through its recognition in an international competition despite its status as a small artisanal producer, with no established distribution network or web presence. This profile is characteristic of many Tunisian terroir mills: quality production, locally rooted, but whose reputation remains limited for lack of a dedicated commercial and logistics structure for export.

Bouhajla is located in the Kairouan governorate, at the heart of the olive-growing basin of central Tunisia, renowned for its Chemlali groves. It is precisely this terroir that the brand highlights through its single-variety production.

Range & varieties

The documented variety is Chemlali (single-variety). Chemlali is the dominant variety of central and southern Tunisia; as a single-varietal, it yields oils with a generally smooth to fruity profile, appreciated for everyday use as well as for finishing.

The documented range:

  • Single-variety Chemlali extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).

No other product reference, format or specific packing is publicly documented for the Zlas brand.

Markets & distribution

The documented elements:

  • Tunisia — local production, Bouhajla region.
  • Presence in international competitions (Sweden / Stockholm).
  • No confirmed export distribution channel.

Certifications & awards

Certifications: not publicly documented.

Documented awards:

  • Gold medal at the 1st Stockholm International Olive Oil Competition (Sweden), 2022 edition — an extra virgin oil made from Chemlali olives from Bouhajla.

Positioning

Zlas positions itself as an artisanal terroir olive oil, internationally awarded. Its premium / quality positioning rests on the single-variety Chemlali and competition recognition, but it is a small-producer brand without an established distribution network or website. The reliability of the available public data is judged to be moderate.

Ethical FOMO note

Zlas shows that an artisanal olive oil from a small Bouhajla producer can win a gold medal in an international competition — proof of the excellence of Tunisian terroir. It is a respected producer: its success is a reminder that Tunisian quality is recognized internationally, and that there is room for new brands and for serious importers able to structure distribution.

FAQ

Who owns the Zlas brand? Mustafa Mtiraoui, a small producer / miller from the Bouhajla region; no formal company name has been identified.

Where is Zlas oil produced? In Bouhajla (Kairouan governorate, central Tunisia).

Which olive variety is used? Chemlali, single-variety.

What product does the brand offer? A single-variety Chemlali extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).

Has Zlas won any awards? Yes: a gold medal at the 1st Stockholm International Olive Oil Competition (Sweden), 2022 edition.

Where is it distributed? In Tunisia (local production, Bouhajla); there is no confirmed export distribution channel.

Does the brand have a website? No: it is a small-producer brand without an established website or distribution network.

What does its 2022 Stockholm gold medal mean? It attests that the Chemlali oil from Bouhajla was judged to be of remarkable quality by an international jury, placing Zlas among the Tunisian brands distinguished at this edition of the competition.

Does Zlas export its oil? No export distribution channel is confirmed to date: production remains local, in Bouhajla, despite the recognition earned in an international competition.

Can I structure the distribution of a terroir oil like this one with Zitouna Export? Yes. Zitouna Export supports the sourcing, brand creation and go-to-market of Tunisian terroir oils. Request a quote.

Would you like to source an award-winning Tunisian terroir olive oil or launch your own export brand? Request your personalized quote — fast reply, based on your target volumes and markets.

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