EVOLIO Expo 2026, the leading B2B trade fair dedicated to extra virgin olive oil, held at the Fiera del Levante in Bari from January 29 to 31, recorded great success. The event featured the participation of approximately 150 exhibiting companies, more than 50 international buyers from 16 strategic countries, and offered over 100 conferences and events focused on innovation, sustainability, internationalization, olive oil tourism, health, and the cultural promotion of extra virgin olive oil.
The event took place within a context of strong growth in the Italian agri-food sector: in the first eleven months of 2025, exports reached nearly €67 billion, marking a 5% increase compared to 2024. Puglia confirmed its role as the heart of Italian olive growing, with 16,000 companies, 720 olive mills, and an olive-growing area of 330,800 hectares, representing 31.5% of the national total.
During the opening conference, significant attention was given to the National Olive Oil Plan, which provides for approximately €500 million in investments over the next three years to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness, sustainability, and international positioning, also in response to the challenges posed by Xylella.
Among the international buyers in attendance, five were selected by IACC Texas and accompanied at the fair by Francesca Bacci: Fabio Auguadro (Alto Imports, Pennsylvania), Sergio Campos (Davanti Ristorante, Texas), Salvador Cocco (Pansardo - Deliziosi, Florida), Ari Lowenstein (Ari’s Pantry, Texas), and Steven McDonalds (Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Texas).
EVOLIO Expo thus confirmed itself as a strategic event, further consolidating Puglia’s role as the capital of extra virgin olive oil.