the LIVINGAGRO project logo and logos of the project leaders

Press Release / Coming up online July 20-22: 15-minute presentations and B2B meetings to connect innovators with Greeks working in the olive oil, olive, or grazed woodlands sectors who seek help addressing the challenges they face. Part of the ENI CBC Med EU-funded project called LIVINGAGRO, these free online talks and meetings will take place in Greek.

On the Praxi Network platform provided by Greece’s General Secretariat for Research, Greek inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs will briefly introduce a wide range of innovations that address the following topics:

  • Intercropping in Olive Groves
  • Precision Agriculture
  • Machinery
  • Health Benefit Determination
  • Olive Tree and Olive Oil Authentication
  • Preparation for Climate Change
  • Re-using Traditional Practices in Agroforestry 

More details about the innovations will be available shortly in a Catalogue of Innovations on the project’s web page. In addition to tuning in to the general presentations, interested stakeholders will be able to schedule one-to-one online meetings with individual innovators.


How can we get involved?

Farmers, millers, olive oil producers and bottlers, livestock breeders, distributors, nursery owners, lab technicians, territory managers, agronomists, wholesalers, olive oil company representatives, cooperative members, policy makers, and other interested individuals will soon be invited to register for the free online presentations and discussions with innovators.

While other project partners are working from their bases in Italy, Lebanon, and Jordan, the Greek part of the team is based at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh). For those unable to attend the July meetings, there will be additional presentations in Chania at a later date, most likely in a face-to-face format (conditions and regulations permitting). For more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 28210 35030.

This B2B event was made possible by LIVINGAGRO, a project funded by the European Union under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020 with a total budget of 3,3 million euros (90% EU contribution and 10% National Funds).


What is LIVINGAGRO? 

“LIVINGAGRO - Cross Border Living Laboratories for Agroforestry” is an EU-funded project that is dedicated to bringing together innovators and stakeholders for mutually beneficial collaborations based on living labs in two areas: multifunctional olive systems and grazed woodlands. These living labs involve closer collaboration between researchers and economic stakeholders, including Greek olive farmers, livestock breeders, and others in the olive, meat, and dairy sectors, than traditional projects.


What are LIVINGAGRO project partners doing?

Rather than simply doing research in isolated labs, scientists are asking farmers, company representatives, policy makers, and other stakeholders for input about the types of problems they need to solve, as well as the most workable solutions.

LIVINGAGRO team members have surveyed numerous stakeholders who work with olive oil and grazed woodlands to determine their needs. Many survey respondents indicated a desire to increase their product’s quality, improve plant health and/or soil fertility, reduce their production costs, increase the quantity produced, and reduce their use of chemical products. Innovations have been identified that can meet those needs as well as others. Later this month, innovators will be presenting potential solutions to challenges to interested members of the public, as well as inviting more comments about stakeholders’ needs.

LIVINGAGRO project partners' logos


This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or the Programme management structures.

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News and Information for Producers

To Consider

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News Articles and Announcements for Greek Producers (mostly articles and events in Greek)

Οι 10 κορυφαίες χώρες παραγωγής ελαιολάδου: Η Τυνησία είναι 3η, η Ελλάδα 5η

In Olivenews.gr, Vassilis Zampounis shared this disappointing news for Greece: in 2023/24 it produced the 5th largest quantity of olive oil in the world.

Μια ιστορική στιγμή για το ελαιόλαδο συνέβη στην Αμερική

In Olivenews.gr, Vassilis Zampounis reflects on Spain's increasing success with olive oil in the US market and the reasons and effects of this. For example, he says, in the medium-long term, the rise of Spain closes the tap of Greek bulk exports to Italy.

The Olive Wisdom Network Coaching & Consulting group

The first coaching & consulting group specially designed for Greek olive oil producers and bottlers, to be held on the Zoom platform starting September 18. Information is available in Greek.

Βιώσιμη ελαιοκαλλιέργεια στην Ελλάδα: πέρα από την κλιματική κρίση

An important consideration of how to make olive cultivation sustainable in Greece in the face of climate change.

Κρητικές εξαγωγές: αισιοδοξία αριθμών, ανταγωνιστική πρόκληση μεταξύ χύμα και τυποποιημένου

Olive oil made up 52.7% of all Cretan exported products and 76% of Cretan food and beverages, but much of it was exported in bulk rather than bottled.

Η Αυστραλία υιοθετεί το πρόγραμμα «Παρακολούθηση Ποιότητας Ελαιολάδου» στα ράφια των σούπερ μάρκετ

For both domestic and imported olive oils, Australia will adopt an inspection program similar to that of the North American Olive Oil Association.

Στην Σουηδία οι εισαγωγές ελαιολάδου αυξάνονται

With olive oil sales expected to continue increasing in Sweden, there are both opportunities and challenges for international producers interested in this market.

Ένα πρώτο βήμα διαλόγου και ενημέρωσης για τα επίκαιρα ζητήματα της νέας ελαιοκομικής περιόδου

A report from Olivenews.gr on a recent collaborative press conference about the Greek olive oil sector.

An Olive Leaves-Based Diet Might Improve Sheep's Cheese

"New research reveals that adding olive leaves to a ewe's diet results in healthier cheese," and consumers may also appreciate this, so this could be a very productive use of olive leaves.

The Canada Insights

Very useful information for Greeks interested in exporting to Canada, from the Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Greece in Toronto.

Όλη η Ημερίδα της 4Ε με θέμα: “Ελαιόλαδο – Πυρηνέλαιο – Σπορέλαια”

A video of a discussion on "Olive Oil - Kernel Oil - Seed Oils: Relationships between nutritional value and economy" (featuring a number of Greek experts) is now available.

Η ελληνική παρουσία στην αγορά ελαιολάδου του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου

Useful information about the olive oil market in the UK, from olivenews.gr.

Κατοχύρωση 4 βασικών Γεωγραφικών Ενδείξεων Ελαιολάδου στο Διεθνές Μητρώο της Πράξης της Γενεύης

SEVITEL has submitted four important Greek PDOs/PGIs for registration with the World Intellectual Property Organization of the United Nations.

The keys to increasing the consumption of olive oil in the US

An excellent article by Joseph Profaci, Executive Director of the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA), about how--and why--to increase olive oil consumption in the USA.

Ένα βήμα από τον Σπήλιο Λιβανό για την ανάπτυξη εθνικής ελαιοκομικής στρατηγικής

In the first step toward the development of a national olive growing strategy, two working groups have been formed.

As Canadian Olive Oil Market Grows, Greek Exporters Fall Behind

"A report issued by the Greek Consulate in Toronto found that Greece has lost ground in the Canadian olive oil market, having been surpassed by Tunisia."

Το 3ο Συνέδριο της Άξιον Εκδοτική διαθέσιμο στο Youtube

Now available on YouTube: the June 9 conference organized by Axion Ekdotiki (publisher of Olive & Olive Oil and olivenews.gr) focused on olive oil marketing networks from the milling stage to the final consumer.

The OliveClima LIFE project

This European Union project team produced five useful demonstration videos (in Greek, with good English subtitles) for olive farmers who wish to help the environment while lowering their costs and improving their products: Weed management in olive groves during winter; Olive tree pruning; Fertilizing olive trees; Compost from the pruning of the olive grove; and Holistic olive grove management.

Η παρενιαυτοφορία στην ελιά και τρόποι αντιμετώπισης

Advice for olive farmers who wish to avoid significantly decreased production every second year, from Olivenews.gr.

Η Xylella f. και η ανάγκη επιστημονικής ψύχραιμης προσέγγισης

Three scientists calmly consider research on Xylella fastidiosa for Olivenews.gr.

Olive Flies in Spain Are Immune to Common Pesticide, Study Finds

Concerning news for producers who rely on organophosphate pesticides.

Γυάλινη ή πλαστική φιάλη για το έξτρα, διχάζουν την Ισπανία

This in-depth, well considered examination of the issue of whether glass or plastic is better for EVOO containers from Olivenews.gr (in Greek) brings up points I had not considered (without, however, comparing metal containers). Although the context is a new Spanish law, the discussion is also relevant in and beyond Greece.

Πλατφόρμα υποστήριξης του Αγροδιατροφικού Τομέα & καταπολέμησης της ανεργίας από τον Αγροτικό Συνεταιρισμό “Ένωση Μεσσηνίας”

This article describes a new online platform where farmers, cooperatives, and businesses in Messinia can publish their labor needs, and interested workers can disclose their availability for employment.

Επιστημονική Εταιρεία Εγκυκλοπαιδιστών Ελαιοκομίας (4Ε)

The website of the Olive Encyclopedists Society (4E) includes news and information about the olive oil market, agricultural policy, olive cultivation, health, nutrition, olive oil chemistry, events, and more. Written in Greek, it allows direct Google translation into English and many other languages.

Dimitra Alieos talks to Vasilis Zampounis about the strong and weaker aspects regarding the place of Greek olive oil in the international market

An in-depth, informative article based on an interview with an international expert. It includes worldwide production estimates for the 2019/20 crop year. For the Greek version of the same article, see Η Δήμητρα Αλιέως μιλά στον Βασίλη Ζαμπούνη για τη θέση του ελληνικού ελαιολάδου στη διεθνή αγορά.

Pulsed Electric Technology Increases Yield and Quality, Study Finds

"A study from the University of Perugia confirms that pulsed electric field technology increases both the quality and yield for three different olive cultivars."

ARISTOIL Guide for Producers: Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Health Protective Properties

For olive oil producers interested in making the healthiest possible olive oil: a guide from the World Olive Center for Health and the Aristoil project (in English).

Αειφορική ελαιοκομία – φιλική στο περιβάλλον και τον άνθρωπο

General advice from olivenews.gr on how to be sure olive cultivation is as environmentally friendly as it can be.

Απαραίτητη προϋπόθεση το ελληνικό παρθένο ελαιόλαδο για τη χορήγηση του σήματος «Ελληνική Κουζίνα»

This article lists the requirements for a Special Quality Sign for Greek Cuisine (ΕΣΠΕΚ) for restaurants and catering businesses, as determined by the Ministry of Tourism, in order to promote Greek gastronomy and support primary production, especially at the local level. Naturally, Greek olive oil is an important part of this.

Industrial Ultrasound Applications in The Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Extraction Process: History, Approaches, and Key Questions

This is likely to interest olive millers. Click on the title at the linked page to read the entire article.

Τα 4Ε εντάσσονται στην ΕΔΟΕ

Olive oil scientists organized by the Olive Encyclopaedia Scientific Society (4E) have now been incorporated as Associate Members of the National Interprofessional Organization of Olive Oil (ΕΔΟΕ) in an effort to foster cooperation between scientists and businesses in the sector.

New Device Detects Adulteration Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy

As Daniel Dawson writes for Olive Oil Times, "The sensor uses a combination of laser diodes and computer-constructed algorithms to measure light emissions from samples of olive oils to determine whether they are correctly labeled."

Machine Improves Yield in Trial Runs by Hitting Olive Paste With Electricity

An interesting technological development in olive oil production.

ΟΔΗΓΟ ΟΡΘΩΝ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΩΝ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΑΡΑΓΩΓΙΚΗ ΔΙΑΔΙΚΑΣΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΑΙΟΛΑΔΟΥ

A 5-page guide to recommended practices in the production of olive oil from SEVITEL.

Xylella fastidiosa

This is a page from the Greek Ministry of Rural Development with photos and information to help Greeks avoid having Xylella become a problem in Greece.

Ενημέρωση για τον οργανισμό καραντίνας Xylella fastidiosa

This article in Agrocapital provides a brief overview of the importance of keeping Xylella out of Greece and the ways to do so, with links to additional information, all in Greek.

Ίδρυση Επιστημονικής Εταιρείας Ελαιοκομίας

This article discusses the establishment of an Olive Encyclopaedia Research Society called 4E (because of its Greek name) and lists its founding members board members.

Σε επιφυλακή οι Περιφέρειες λόγω xylella στη Μαδρίτη

Information, caution, and advice on keeping Xylella out of Greece and what to do if it appears here.

Εν μέσω ανομβρίας, ορθολογικό πότισμα στην ελιά

Advice on irrigation of olive groves in dry areas to reduce the drought's negative effects on flowering and fruiting.

Άνοιγμα σε νέα μέλη για τη Φίλαιος

For Greeks who use, produce, believe in, and/or care about olive oil (since this is all in Greek): you can become a member of Filaios, the Association of Friends of Olive Oil. More info here.