MED strengthens the link between science and the productive sector at Enotécnica & Olitécnica 2026
MED took part in Enotécnica & Olitécnica 2026, held from 21 to 23 January at EXPONOR, as an institutional partner of the event. This participation reinforced MED’s role as a central actor in connecting scientific research, technological innovation and the wine and olive oil sectors, consolidating its commitment to knowledge transfer and decision-making support.
Throughout the three-day fair, MED was present with its own stand, designed as a space for proximity and dialogue with producers, technicians, companies and decision-makers. This direct contact enabled the dissemination of ongoing research projects, discussion of emerging challenges, and the strengthening of links between the science developed at MED and the concrete needs of the territory and the productive sector.
As part of the technical programme of Enotécnica & Olitécnica 2026, MED also organised two round tables dedicated to viticulture and oenology, and to olive groves and olive oil, highlighting an integrated and strategic vision for the future of these Mediterranean production systems.
The round table “Viticulture and Oenology at the Frontier of Knowledge: The Role of MED” highlighted that current challenges in the wine sector require an integrated approach in which frontier science, technological innovation and measurable sustainability are inextricably linked. The contributions emphasised the role of scientific research in wine differentiation and quality, through the study of volatile compounds, integrated vineyard nutrition management and the application of precision agriculture technologies. They also underlined the importance of framing sustainability as a technical and economic dimension, supported by robust carbon and biodiversity metrics. The moderation brought these perspectives together, reinforcing MED’s role as an interdisciplinary platform capable of transforming scientific knowledge into practical decisions, economic value and greater resilience in Mediterranean viticulture.
The round table “From the Olive Grove to Olive Oil: Research and Innovation at MED” demonstrated that the future of the Mediterranean olive sector depends on an integrated approach combining mechanisation, soil health and plant protection. The contributions showed that mechanisation is a key factor for economic viability in the face of labour shortages, that soil regeneration is essential for long-term productivity and climate resilience, and that phytosanitary challenges require increasingly integrated, science-based solutions adapted to climate change. The coordination of the session reinforced that there are no isolated solutions: technological innovation, environmental sustainability and knowledge transfer must advance together to ensure the competitiveness, resilience and quality of Mediterranean olive oil, while highlighting MED’s role in developing the framework for the Olive Oil Sustainability Programme.
Overall, both round tables demonstrated MED’s capacity to integrate scientific, technological and economic perspectives, establishing itself as an interdisciplinary platform linking applied research, field-oriented innovation and the development of sustainable solutions. MED’s participation in the event also highlighted its contribution to defining technical and strategic benchmarks for the sustainability of the wine and olive oil sectors, promoting production models that are more resilient, competitive and aligned with climatic, environmental and societal challenges.
MED’s presence at Enotécnica & Olitécnica 2026 therefore reinforces its position as a leading scientific partner for Mediterranean agricultural sectors, promoting the valorisation of knowledge, responsible innovation and the building of strong bridges between science, territory and society.
