"When we started 12 years ago we wanted to attract the attention of consumers to the importance of consuming young olive oil when it is at its best, immediately after being refined. That has turned into the best olive oil event in the country," Vodnjan Mayor Klaudio Vitasovic said at the opening of the exhibition which is being held from 18 to 20 November.
In addition to exhibiting olive oil and equipment for olive growers and producers, the focal point of the event will be cuisine. For the next three days the best chefs from Istria will prepare food cooked or dressed with olive oil.
The event is an opportunity not just to promote olive oil but the entire Vodnjan region, its gastronomy, culture and tradition, Vitasovic said.
He explained that this year was a record year for Vodnjan that has registered more than four million kilograms of olives picked and 500,000 litres of olive oil produced.
Chairman of the parliamentary Agriculture Committee Davor Romic underscored that Istria was an internationally recognised region for the production of top quality olive oil and has won some of the world's best awards.