The OOWC comes to Beja, looking ahead to 2026

The Olive Oil World Congress (OOWC) will be presented in Beja (Portugal) as part of the itinerary “On the Road to the OOWC 2026,” bringing together leaders from the olive sector, research, and the market to define the roadmap toward the major 2026 congress.

The event, to be held on October 9 as part of Olivum Talks, will spotlight the key challenges already shaping the future of the sector: genuine sustainability, transforming markets, and the geopolitics of olive oil.

As a major international gathering for the industry, the OOWC connects the entire value chain —from field to table— with a cross-cutting approach that encompasses agronomic innovation, quality and authenticity, environmental and economic sustainability, market positioning, and consumer communication. The 2026 edition will focus on olive grove resilience, water efficiency, digitalization, and value creation at origin, reinforcing olive oil’s role as a healthy food and a global gastronomic benchmark.

During the session, experts from the International Olive Council (IOC) will discuss how the carbon market can enhance the value of olive groves, and how global trends in supply and consumption are reshaping the business. The discussion will feature leading voices from the Iberian technical, business, and trade association spheres, along with the strategic perspective of former Deputy Prime Minister Paulo Portas.

The highlight of the day will be the official presentation of the OOWC by Ricardo Migueláñez, who will reveal the event’s concept, content pillars, and the partnerships that will be forged at each stop along the route. “On the Road to the OOWC 2026” is much more than a tour: it is an accelerator of projects, a space for connection, and an open invitation to build the future of olive oil—from Portugal to the world.

Beja thus positions itself as a launch point for the olive oil value chain: from the field and science to the table and distribution.

Location: [Google Maps – NERBE (click here)]
Session start time: 09:00 (Welcome Coffee), followed by the Opening Session at 09:30.