Verona, 17 December 2025 – An international showcase for one of the key pillars of Italian cuisine. Following its standalone debut in 2025 and building on a legacy of 28 editions held alongside Vinitaly, SOL Expo returns from 1 to 3 March 2026 at Veronafiere, once again placing olive oil at centre stage with three days entirely dedicated to the full supply chain, from the olive grove to the table – and beyond.
With a format unique in Italy, the event highlights the excellence of a production symbol of Made in Italy through a hybrid B2B2C approach designed to bring together, in a single space for business, education and discovery, industry professionals, informed consumers and new generations of enthusiasts.
The 2026 edition has already confirmed participation from ten Italian regions (Veneto, Tuscany, Sicily, Lazio, Basilicata, Emilia-Romagna, Calabria, Apulia, Umbria and Campania) and takes on even greater significance in light of the 2025/26 olive oil campaign, which is expected to exceed 200,000 tonnes, as well as the recent UNESCO recognition of Italian Cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“Olive oil is one of the fundamental languages of our gastronomic identity,” said Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere. “The UNESCO recognition confirms the value of a shared heritage in which extra virgin olive oil plays a central role. At SOL Expo, we want to tell the story of olive oil in all its forms and possibilities, with a particular focus on contemporary cuisine, involving both foodservice professionals and consumers.”
On the professional front, SOL Expo works closely with key trade associations, including FIPE Confcommercio, FIEPET Confesercenti, FIC – Italian Chefs Federation, and AIRO – International Association of Olive Oil Restaurants, with special attention to the HoReCa sector, which plays a crucial role in spreading olive oil culture and promoting informed selection and use.
From a business perspective, the exhibition confirms its status as the leading national event for the sector, with a strong international outlook. Thanks to cooperation with ITA – Italian Trade Agency, an incoming programme will bring over 80 top buyers to Verona from the United States, Japan, Germany, Northern Europe, CIS countries, China and the Gulf region.
“The olive oil sector needs a strategic, multidimensional platform,” said Adolfo Rebughini, Managing Director of Veronafiere, “capable of offering all stakeholders meaningful networking opportunities and providing companies with concrete tools to strengthen their presence in international markets. SOL Expo responds to this need by combining commercial opportunities, technical content and ongoing dialogue with professional foodservice.”
Alongside initiatives for professionals, SOL Expo also opens its doors to consumers with a rich programme of showcookings, guided tastings, masterclasses, and a dedicated area for natural olive oil–based cosmetics. Special attention is also given to younger audiences with the new Kids Area, featuring sensory workshops, creative activities and educational paths designed to introduce children to olive oil culture.
The general public is also the target of the first edition of “Sol and the City Sud”, a new off-site spinoff event scheduled for 19–20 December at the Catanzaro exhibition area. Organised jointly by the Calabria Region’s Department of Agriculture and Veronafiere, with organisational support from ARSAC, “Sol and the City Sud” aims to highlight the excellence of Calabrian olive oil while also promoting the broader agri-food heritage of Southern Italy.
The 2025/26 Olive Oil Campaign at a Glance
According to data processed by SOL Expo (SIAN base, extraction as of 10 December), Central and Southern Italy account for 85% of national olive oil production, estimated at over 200,000 tonnes, with 72% concentrated in Apulia, Sicily and Calabria. In Apulia, where harvesting is still ongoing, production is already approaching 2024/25 levels, while Sicily is recording a 54% increase compared to the previous campaign. Calabria, Italy’s third-largest producing region, currently stands at 26,000 tonnes.
Overall, adverse climatic and weather conditions have slowed harvesting across much of the Mediterranean basin, with olive picking expected to continue into January and beyond. In Central and Northern Italy, production has been limited by the natural alternation of yields following a record 2024/25 harvest, unfavourable weather during flowering, and olive fruit fly infestations. Average production declines in these areas – including key regions such as Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria – stand at around 50%, with Friuli-Venezia Giulia as the sole exception, recording an increase in output.