A major meeting spanning from production to table is about to begin. With 85 exhibitors from across Türkiye and 5 countries, and a packed program ranging from panels to tasting events, the Olivtech Fair is opening its doors in İzmir.
Organized by İZFAŞ under the hosting of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, Gurme İzmir – Olivtech – the 12th Olive, Olive Oil, Dairy Products, Wine and Technologies Fair will be held at Fuar İzmir C Hall between April 30 and May 2, 2026. In addition to the trade volume it will generate, Olivtech will stand out with its comprehensive event program that brings together all components of the sector.
The Olivtech Fair aims to showcase innovations and technological developments in the sector, create cooperation opportunities by bringing together industry professionals, and unite stakeholders operating across a wide spectrum—from production to processing and consumption—under one roof. The fair will host 85 exhibitors from 19 cities in Türkiye, as well as participants from Germany, France, Sweden, Canada, and Libya. Focusing on olives and olive oil, as well as dairy products, wine, and agricultural technologies, the fair will offer participants the opportunity to follow current trends, establish new business connections, and gain a comprehensive perspective on sectoral developments. Visitors are expected not only from Türkiye but also from the Balkans, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
The fair will also attract attention with its rich event program. Enriched with talks, culinary workshops, tasting events, launches, experience areas, and exhibitions, the program will address the process from production to consumption under various themes. Topics such as agricultural transformation, food quality, production processes, branding, sustainability, value chain, consumption habits, and gastronomy will be discussed, shedding light on the current dynamics of the sector. Olivtech’s event program has been prepared in collaboration with universities, public institutions, and industry stakeholders. Contributions have also been made by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Agricultural Services Department, relevant municipal units, universities, and sector representatives.
The fair will begin with an opening ceremony on April 30 at 11:00. On the same day at 12:15, Sencer Solakoğlu, Chairman of the CHP Agriculture and Forestry Policies Board, will evaluate current sector dynamics with his speech titled “Don’t look for wealth underground in Türkiye: Our greatest wealth is the green gold, the olive.”
As part of the first day program themed “Welcoming – Inclusive – Unifying,” a panel titled “From Soil to Brand: The Transforming Power of Agriculture and Future Vision” will be held at 13:15, moderated by Dr. Erçin Güdücü, Secretary General of İzmir Commodity Exchange. Speakers will include agricultural writer Ali Ekber Yıldırım, İzmir Chamber of Commerce Assembly Member Günay Baysal, İzmir Commodity Exchange representative and General Manager of Tariş Olive and Olive Oil Inc. Cengiz Dikmen, and a representative from the Aegean Exporters’ Associations.
At 14:30, the panel “Quality and Added Value in Food: Process, Technology and Bioactive Components” will be moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Turgay Bucak, Head of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts at Dokuz Eylül University. Industrial scientist Can Kayacılar and Dr. Abidin Tatlı, President of the Olive Oil Academy, will share insights on process management, sensory analysis, and technological developments in olive oil production.
At 15:45, the panel “Young Entrepreneurs Producing the Future” will be moderated by Çise Ulus, Founder of The7. Speakers including Gökçe Erkuşöz (Founder of Von Urla), producer Umut Ayberk, and Yasemin Sezgin (Founder of Sütçü) will share their experiences in production and branding.
At 17:00, the İzmir Vineyard Route Launch will introduce a project carried out by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Tourism Branch Directorate. As part of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes Program and the Iter Vitis network, the route includes vineyards and wine producers in Urla, Seferihisar, Menderes, Selçuk, Kemalpaşa, Çeşme, Torbalı, and Karabağlar. The project aims to contribute to sustainable tourism by bringing together local producers and gastronomic values. Certificates will be awarded to 18 businesses included in the route.
The second day of the fair, May 1, will be held under the theme “Production – Labor – Value Chain.”
At 11:00, the panel “Value Chain in Milk and Cheese Production” will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Harun Raşit Uysal (Ege University), with speakers including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aslı Akpınar, Osman Öztürk (Tire Milk Cooperative), and Hüseyin Önel (Pınar Dairy).
At 12:15, the panel “The Journey of the Olive: Quality, Efficiency and Future” will be moderated by Bülent Üngür, Head of Agricultural Services at İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, with contributions from cooperative leaders and researchers.
At 14:00, the panel “From Vineyard to Bottle: Terroir, Technology and Trends” will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Altındişli, featuring experts in viticulture and winemaking.
The final day, May 2, will be themed “Consumption – Experience – Perception.”
At 10:00, the “Dr. Olive” session will address the health effects of olives and olive oil from medical and pharmaceutical perspectives.
At 11:00, the panel “How Do We Consume Milk? New Generation Approaches” will explore consumption habits and innovations.
At 12:15, the panel “The Value of Olive Oil on Our Tables from Tradition to Future” will bring together experts from academia, industry, and health sciences.
As part of the fair, culinary workshops moderated by Chef Özlem Mekik will feature expert chefs presenting special recipes from Aegean and İzmir cuisine. Highlights include:
Visitors will enjoy a rich gastronomic experience through these workshops.
Throughout the fair, tasting events organized in collaboration with universities will take place. Visitors can experience olive oil and cheese tastings at the “Olivbar” area and explore a special exhibition curated by the Köstem Olive Oil Museum, showcasing the journey of olive oil from branch to table.
Olivtech will serve as a strong meeting point for industry representatives by addressing the value chain from production to consumption in all its dimensions. The fair will be open to visitors daily between 10:00 and 18:00.