EVOLIO EXPO 2026: The Definitive B2B Guide to the Future of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

EVOLIO EXPO 2026: The Definitive B2B Guide to the Future of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Date: January 29-31, 2026
Venue: Fiera del Levante, Bari, Italy
Event: EVOLIO EXPO – The International Professional Fair for EVOO Producers

Introduction: The EVOO Crossroads

The global olive oil landscape stands at a pivotal moment. As climate volatility challenges traditional growing regions, consumer demand for authenticity, sustainability, and health benefits is soaring. In this complex scenario, the industry requires more than just a trade show; it needs a strategic nexus for business, innovation, and cultural preservation. Returning to Bari’s Fiera del Levante from January 29 to 31, 2026, EVOLIO EXPO positions itself as precisely that nexus.

Following a acclaimed debut, EVOLIO EXPO 2026 is not merely a second edition; it is an evolved platform, significantly expanded in scope and ambition. It promises to be the most comprehensive B2B gathering in the EVOO calendar, dedicated to forging commercial partnerships, dissecting market trends, and celebrating the millennia-old heritage of liquid gold. This guide provides an exhaustive overview of what to expect, why it matters, and how to maximize your participation.

Part 1: The EVOLIO EXPO Phenomenon – Building on a Foundation of Success

The Inaugural Edition: A Retrospective Analysis

The first EVOLIO EXPO successfully addressed a critical market gap: a focused, high-caliber B2B event in Southern Italy, the heart of olive oil production. According to post-event reports and industry analytics from Olive Oil Times and Mercacei, the 2025 edition attracted over 5,000 professional visitors from 42 countries. More than 220 exhibitors, ranging from boutique estates in Puglia and Tuscany to major bottlers and international exporters, occupied a sold-out hall.

Key achievements that set the tone for 2026 included:

• Quality-Over-Quantity Focus: A strict B2B credentialing policy ensured a high concentration of buyers, importers, HoReCa (Hotel/Restaurant/Café) representatives, and gourmet retailers.
• Strategic Networking: Organized matchmaking sessions, powered by a dedicated business platform, facilitated an estimated 3,500 pre-scheduled meetings.
• Cultural and Educational Integration: The fair transcended commerce with masterclasses by the Italian Sommelier Federation (FIS) and historical exhibitions on olive cultivation in the Mediterranean, reinforcing the product’s intrinsic value.

The 2026 Vision: Expansion and Deepening

For its second act, EVOLIO EXPO is scaling up intelligently. Organizers have announced a 30% increase in exhibition space to accommodate growing demand and introduce specialized zones. The program has been enriched with more conferences, technical workshops, and experiential areas, all designed to offer operators a 360-degree view of the EVOO universe—from soil to shelf.

Part 2: The 2026 Experience – A Detailed Itinerary for Professionals

EVOLIO EXPO 2026 is structured into distinct but interconnected areas, each serving a specific professional need.

1. The Exhibition Floor: The Commercial Heart

The core of the event will feature over 300 expected exhibitors, segmented into logical pavilions:

• The “Made in Italy” Gallery: The flagship area, showcasing the diversity of Italian EVOO. Regions will have dedicated sub-sections: Puglia (the host, with its robust Coratina and delicate Ogliarola), Tuscany (fruity and bitter-pungent), Liguria (sweet and light), Lake Garda (delicate), Sicily (complex), and more. DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) and IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) consortia will be prominent.
• The International Arena: Recognizing the global nature of the market, this section will host producers from Spain, Greece, Portugal, Tunisia, Morocco, California (USA), Australia, Chile, and South Africa. This allows buyers to compare profiles and sourcing options side-by-side.
• The Technology & Services Hub: A critical zone for producers, featuring the latest in:
  • Precision Agriculture: IoT sensors, drone-based health monitoring, and irrigation optimization systems.
  • Modern Milling: Innovations in decanters, crushers, and temperature-controlled malaxers that preserve polyphenols.
  • Packaging & Design: From anti-adulteration seals and light-blocking bottles to sustainable branding solutions.
  • Lab Analysis & Certification: Services for chemical and sensory analysis, crucial for verifying quality and authenticity.
• The “Beyond Oil” Pavilion: Dedicated to the circular economy of olives: table olives, olive-based cosmetics (soaps, creams), olive wood products, and nutraceuticals (olive leaf extracts, supplements).

2. The Knowledge Forum: Conferences & Seminars

The 2026 conference agenda, curated with academic and industry partners, will tackle the most pressing issues. Themes will include:

• Climate Resilience: “Adapting the Olive Grove: Strategies for Drought, Frost, and New Pests.” Featuring agronomists from the International Olive Council (IOC) and research bodies like CNR (Italy’s National Research Council).
• Market Dynamics & Fraud Combat: “Global Price Trends, Supply Chain Challenges, and the Fight Against Adulteration.” With speakers from the Carabinieri’s Anti-Adulteration Unit (NAS), E.U. customs agencies, and market analysts.
• Health & Science: “EVOO and Human Health: Latest Research on Polyphenols, the Gut Microbiome, and Chronic Disease Prevention.” Presented in collaboration with universities and nutrition institutes.
• Marketing & Consumer Trends: “Telling Your Story: Digital Marketing, E-commerce for Premium EVOO, and Engaging the Gen Z Consumer.”

3. The Sensory Academy: Masterclasses & Tastings

This is where theory meets the palate. Led by world-renowned panel leaders, sommeliers (FIS), and Master Millers, sessions will cater to all levels:

• Foundational Courses: “The Sensory Analysis of EVOO: Recognizing Defects and Positive Attributes.”
• Horizontal Tastings: “Comparing Monovarietals: From Italian Leccino to Spanish Picual.”
• Vertical Tastings: “The Impact of Harvest Time: Early vs. Late Harvest Oils from the Same Grove.”
• Food Pairing Workshops: “EVOO in the Modern Kitchen: Pairing with International Cuisines, Chocolate, and Cocktails.”

4. The EVOO Culture District

Celebrating the soul of the product, this area will feature:

• Historical Exhibition: “The Olive Tree: A 6,000-Year Journey.” Artifacts, archival images, and multimedia displays.
• Artisanal Demonstrations: Live wood carving by olive wood artisans, traditional soap making.
• Book Presentations & Documentary Screenings.

5. The B2B Matchmaking Suite

The engine of deal-making. Via the event’s official app, registered participants can:

• Pre-Schedule Meetings: Browse profiles of attending buyers/sellers, request and confirm meetings.
• Access a Private Lounge: Conduct meetings in a quiet, professional environment.
• Participate in “Speed-Dating” Sessions: Themed rounds (e.g., “U.S. Importers,” “Nordic Retailers,” “Organic Buyers”).

Part 3: Why EVOLIO EXPO 2026 is Unmissable: The Data-Driven Case

1. Strategic Location in the Production Epicenter
Puglia alone produces approximately 40% of Italy’s olive oil and a significant portion of Europe’s. Bari, its capital, offers direct access to the supply source. For international buyers, this means meeting producers on their home turf, often allowing for mill visits.

2. Timing is Everything
Late January is the perfect window in the olive oil calendar. The new harvest (November-January) is freshly milled, bottled, and ready for evaluation and purchase. It’s the ideal moment to secure contracts for the coming year.

3. Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Climate & Economics
The 2023/24 season saw global olive oil production plummet by ~25% (IOC data), with prices reaching historic highs. Events like EVOLIO EXPO are crucial for navigating this volatility, finding new suppliers, understanding climate mitigation tech, and building resilient supply chains.

4. The Authenticity Imperative
With olive oil fraud still a multi-billion euro problem, the fair’s focus on traceability, certification, and direct producer-buyer relationships is more valuable than ever.

5. Beyond Europe: Tapping into Growth Markets
While Europe consumes the most, growth rates are highest elsewhere. The U.S. market is expanding steadily, while Asia (particularly Japan and China) represents a vast, under-penetrated opportunity. The fair’s international focus facilitates these cross-continental connections.

Part 4: Practical Guide for Attendees

For Exhibitors (Producers, Technology Providers, Service Companies):

• Book Early: Premium booth locations sell out quickly.
• Train Your Team: Ensure staff are fluent in English, knowledgeable about product chemistry, and skilled at storytelling.
• Prepare Materials: Have technical sheets (in English), samples for tasting, and clear pricing/FOB terms ready.
• Leverage the Matchmaking Platform: Actively use it before the event to secure high-value meetings.

For Buyers (Importers, Distributors, Retailers, HoReCa):

• Define Your Objectives: Are you seeking new suppliers, specific varieties, organic lines, or private-label partners?
• Research Exhibitors: Use the online catalog to shortlist targets.
• Schedule Diligently: Use the matchmaking system, but leave room for serendipitous discoveries.
• Engage Your Senses: Attend masterclasses to refine your tasting skills and better understand the product you’re buying.

For the Press & Influencers:
A dedicated press office will offer guided tours, interviews with key figures (producers, scientists, chefs), and access to the press room with high-resolution materials.

Travel & Logistics:

• Accommodation: Bari offers a range, from business hotels near the Fiera to historic masserie (fortified farmhouses) in the countryside. Book months in advance.
• Transport: Bari has an international airport (BRI) with growing connectivity. The Fiera del Levante is easily accessible by taxi, bus, or train.
• Visa: Non-EU participants should check Italian visa requirements well ahead of time.

Conclusion: More Than a Fair, A Movement

EVOLIO EXPO 2026 represents a holistic response to the challenges and opportunities defining the EVOO sector. It is a place where a California restaurateur can discover a rare Monocultivar Nocellara del Belice, where a Spanish miller can find a revolutionary Italian decanter, and where a Japanese importer can grasp the cultural narrative behind a Puglian oil.

It goes beyond transactions to foster a community dedicated to quality, sustainability, and integrity. In the vast halls of the Fiera del Levante, under the bright winter sky of Bari, the future of extra virgin olive oil will be tasted, debated, and shaped. For anyone with a professional stake in this ancient yet dynamically modern industry, being present from January 29 to 31, 2026, is not just an option—it is an essential strategic investment.

EVOLIO EXPO 2026: Where Business Meets Culture, and Tradition Fuels Innovation.