In a context of strong growth in the global market, with production reaching around 3.5 million tonnes annually, olive oil faces one of the greatest challenges in its recent history: ensuring its quality and authenticity in an environment of increasing commercial pressure, market complexity, and risk of fraud.
According to data from the International Olive Council (IOC), the European Union accounts for nearly 70% of global production, with Spain and Portugal as key players. This leadership places the Iberian Peninsula at the center of a strategic debate that will shape the future of the sector.
On the eve of the Olive Oil World Congress (OOWC), which will take place on July 2-3, 2026, at the Belém Cultural Center in Lisbon, experts, scientists, and institutions share a clear message: global consumer trust will depend directly on the ability to guarantee product authenticity.
All individuals, companies, or public and private institutions in the olive oil sector interested in participating can register via the following link:
https://www.oliveoilworldcongress.com/inscription
In this context, the OOWC promotes this debate by positioning quality not only as a differentiating attribute but as a structural element of competitiveness and sustainability across the entire value chain, from the field to the final consumer.
One of the central blocks of the congress, dedicated to Product Quality and Safety, will address the sector’s main challenges through leading international voices. Researcher Wenceslao Moreda (CSIC) will open the discussion with a presentation focused on the standardization of olive oil-key to advancing toward homogeneous criteria that strengthen trust in international markets.
Meanwhile, Roberto Silva (LATU) will delve into the international harmonization of standards and analytical methods, a critical aspect for improving fraud detection, strengthening control systems, and guaranteeing product purity.
Both presentations will highlight an unavoidable reality: without advanced scientific tools and greater international coordination, protecting authenticity will remain one of the sector’s major challenges.
The congress organizers emphasize that “safeguarding the authenticity of olive oil is no longer just a technical issue, but a global strategic priority,” at a time when traceability and transparency have become decisive market factors.
The Olive Oil World Congress is therefore positioned as a key event for defining concrete solutions and coordinating efforts at an international level.
The Congress already has institutional backing from the International Olive Council (IOC), CIHEAM, and the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, along with public entities such as the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Alimentos de España), the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and the Sea, the Government of Castilla-La Mancha (‘Campo y Alma’), the Government of Catalonia, and IMIDRA.
In the private sector, this second edition is currently supported-alongside Olivum-by entities such as AgroBank, GEA Group, Kubota, Feria de Zaragoza (ENOMAQ), Dazeite, and Siliker Portugal.
From the OOWC, we invite everyone to be part of this collaborative international project, encouraging them to explore cooperation and sponsorship opportunities, and offering any additional information through the OOWC Technical Secretariat by calling +34 91 721 79 29 or emailing [email protected]
Fonte: OOWC 2026
