The town of Almendral in Badajoz province is preparing to become, once again, the nerve center of the olive grove and of organic oilThe next edition of the Olive Grove and Organic Oil Fair will bring together professionals, producers, companies and people interested in a sector that is undergoing a period of complete transformation for three days.
During the days of celebration, the municipality will combine the technical and business aspects with a full agenda open to the general public, in which la sustainability, innovation and the rural territory They will share the spotlight with culture, gastronomy, and leisure. The event is already established as a benchmark for the olive oil sector, both in Extremadura and throughout Spain.
A well-established meeting point for the olive sector
The Almendral Olive and Organic Olive Oil Fair reaches its tenth edition as a leading professional event in the olive oil calendar. Organized by the local council, it has the participation of the National Agri-food Technology Centre (Ctaex) and the support of the Badajoz Provincial Council, which reinforces its institutional weight and its commitment to continuity.
At the presentation, public and industry representatives highlighted that this event has been adapting to new challenges without losing its essenceThe fair has successfully incorporated content related to innovation, sustainability, and climate change, while maintaining its approachable nature and its connection to the local area.
The Deputy for Rural Development, Demographic Challenge and Tourism, Ana Belén Valls, highlighted that this is an “essential” meeting for olive grove professionals, emphasizing its role as economic engine, job generator and tool for retaining population in rural areas. As he recalled, the Provincial Council is working on a strategic agri-food plan which gives a relevant role to designations of origin and geographical indications linked to oil.
The presentation also included remarks from the mayor of Almendral, Juan Francisco Torrescusa Moreno; the councilor for Culture, Begoña Matamoros Guerrero; the researcher from Ctaex, Alfonso Manuel Montaño; the president of the San Mauro cooperative, José Manuel Torres Benavente; and the director of the Ham Carving Competition, Desiderio Sebastián Barquero. They all agreed that the The fair has established itself as a showcase for the present and future of olive groves. and as a boost for the local economy.
Beyond the figures, the event has become a stable platform where professional interests, technical knowledge, and business opportunities intersect, while reinforcing Almendral's image as regional leader in the field of olive oil and especially organic oil.
Sustainability, carbon footprint and new management models
The central theme of this edition revolves around the carbon footprint and the sustainability of the olive groveThe technical workshops will address how to produce quality olive oil while reducing environmental impact and improving resilience to climate change, a growing concern for the entire agricultural sector.
One of the work blocks will focus on the agronomic practices that allow increasing organic carbon in the soil without losing productivityStrategies to improve soil fertility and structure will be analyzed, while reducing emissions associated with agricultural activity, which is key in a context of stricter regulations and markets that are more sensitive to sustainability.
Another highlight will be the Carbon credit certification in the olive oil sectorThis mechanism is emerging as a possible additional source of income for farms that are committed to more sustainable olive grove management, rewarding practices that capture and fix carbon in the soil and vegetation.
The specialized sessions will discuss the design of water intake and absorption projects, certification requirements, and the potential of this tool to reshape the profitability of agriculture. The fair is thus conceived as a space for clarify doubts and share real experiences in a still emerging field.
The conference will also focus on coexistence between organic olive grove and conventional olive groveTransition models, impacts on costs and returns, as well as the commercial opportunities that open up for oils certified as organic in national and international markets will be analyzed.
Organic olive groves: tradition, innovation and territory
One of the messages that will be emphasized most during the fair is that the Organic olive groves can combine tradition, technology and profitabilityFar from being a passing fad, organic olive oil is establishing itself as a viable option for the future for many farms, especially in rural areas seeking to differentiate themselves through quality and respect for the environment.
The experience of producers and cooperatives shows that it is possible integrate modern cultivation and management techniques with the maintenance of traditional practices and agricultural landscapes of high environmental value. Improving soil fertility, managing plant cover, and reducing chemical inputs are key components of this approach.
According to the organizers, the organic olive oil sector has become a economic pillar for many rural regionsThis helps to curb depopulation and generates direct and indirect employment. These types of projects strengthen the population's connection to the land and help young people and new professionals see the countryside as a space of opportunity.
Organic olive groves have not only an economic and environmental impact, but also a cultural one. The oil produced maintains a strong link with local identity and Mediterranean gastronomy, while also responding to a growing demand for consumers who seek food of known origin and produced using sustainable criteria.
For many farms, taking the step towards more environmentally friendly models involves investing in knowledge, technical advice and, often, certifications that allow them to differentiate their product, areas that the fair helps to disseminate and explain in an accessible way.
Exhibition area, machinery and business opportunities
The professional aspect of the Olive Grove and Organic Olive Oil Fair is complemented by a fairgrounds where specialized and multi-sector stands will meetService companies, input suppliers, cooperatives and entities related to olive groves will showcase their latest innovations.
The exhibition of Agricultural machinery related to olive groves This will allow producers and technicians to learn firsthand about solutions for improving efficiency in fieldwork, harvesting, and the oil production process. These innovations are especially relevant in a context of rising costs and the need to optimize resources.
Throughout the three days, the following will also take place: trade missions and business meetings aimed at fostering alliances between companies, cooperatives, buyers, and other stakeholders in the value chain. The goal is to facilitate contacts that can lead to commercial agreements, joint projects, or new lines of work.
This approach transforms the fair into a platform where business card exchange is combined with knowledge sharing, in a friendly yet professional environment that contributes to strengthen the business network linked to olive oil.
For the local economy, the impact is twofold: on the one hand, activity is boosted during the days of the event; on the other, the image of Almendral as a municipality associated with the quality of the oil is reinforced, which can have positive repercussions in the medium and long term.
Gastronomy, culture and leisure for all audiences
In addition to its technical component, the Almendral Olive and Organic Olive Oil Fair is committed to a programming open to the general public, which seeks to bring the world of olive groves and EVOO closer to all citizens in a fun and participatory way.
One of the highlights will be the tastings and samplings of extra virgin olive oilwhere visitors can sample different types of extra virgin olive oil and learn to recognize nuances of aroma, flavor, and texture. Among the oils available will be those awarded prizes in the Badajoz Provincial Council's Olive Oil Tasting Competition for the 2025-2026 early harvest.
The program also includes a tasting and pairing of oil, wine and hamThis event will highlight the combination of iconic products from the Extremadura pastureland and countryside. These types of activities allow the public to better understand how organic olive oil interacts with other high-quality foods in everyday cooking.
For those who prefer outdoor plans, a medium-level hiking route The event will take place a few days after the fair, with a route that combines sport, nature, and tradition. The outing will include refreshments, a traditional olive oil breakfast, and lunch, offering a complete experience connected to the region.
The program is completed with recreational and cultural proposals such as musical performances, dance exhibitions, and activities designed for different audiences. All of this contributes to making the fair not only a professional event, but a true celebration of olive groves for the municipality and its surrounding area.
Ham Carving Competition and the prominence of EVOO
Among the most anticipated events for visitors and locals is the new edition of Almendral-Desiderio Sebastian Ham Carving CompetitionEndorsed by the National Association of Ham Carvers, the competition has established itself as a benchmark within the carving competition calendar, attracting top-level professionals.
The competition director, Desiderio Sebastián Barquero, has indicated that this competition contributes to to reclaim the figure of the ham cutter The event will also promote best practices in the presentation of a product so representative of Spanish gastronomy. Furthermore, it will be broadcast live, extending its reach beyond the audience present.
In parallel, the Organic extra virgin olive oil maintains its leading role in various activities. Guided tastings allow you to appreciate the work of the producers and learn firsthand what differentiates an organic oil from other types of EVOO.
These informative sessions emphasize that olive oil is not only a staple ingredient of the Mediterranean diet, but also a symbol of territorial identity, sustainability and gastronomic excellencePutting a face to the people behind each bottle helps strengthen the bond between product, territory, and consumer.
The fair's focus, therefore, combines education, gastronomic enjoyment and recognition of quality, making it easier for both the general public and professionals to appreciate the real impact that organic olive oil has on the region's economy and culture.
A strategic sector for the rural world
The development of the Almendral Olive and Organic Olive Oil Fair reflects an increasingly evident reality: Olive groves are a key sector for the future of rural areas in Spain. Its influence goes far beyond pure and simple agricultural production.
On the one hand, the olive grove generates direct employment in farms and olive millsIn addition to boosting related activities such as transport, logistics, commerce, and hospitality, it also helps maintain agricultural landscapes that form part of the cultural and natural heritage of many regions.
In a context marked by the climate crisis and the need to transform production models, initiatives like this fair help the sector to address important debates: from the climate change adaptation and water management until the incorporation of digital technologies and new forms of marketing.
The push for organic olive oil is part of a strategy to transition towards more environmentally friendly agriculture, with lower emissions and a greater capacity to sequester carbon. At the same time, it positions producers in niche markets where quality, origin and environmental criteria They have an increasing influence on purchasing decisions.
In this scenario, the Almendral Olive and Organic Oil Fair is configured as a space where ideas cross, contacts are generated and experiences are shared that can mark the path of numerous agricultural and business projects.
What is happening in Almendral these days sums up the evolution that the olive oil sector is experiencing: an olive grove that seeks to produce with less environmental impact, take advantage of the opportunities of carbon credits, defend the profitability of the farms and, at the same time, offer the general public an experience close to the countryside, to the culture of oil and to life in the villages.
