University of Primorska
Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies
This year’s olive harvest season began on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Belvedere above Izola. To mark the occasion, the event “The Mayors’ Olive—The Olive of Unity” was held, organized by the Slovenian Istria Olive Growers’ Association and the Municipality of Izola, under the honorary patronage of Minister of Agriculture Janez Cigler Kralj.
The event, held at the Kamin restaurant, was also attended by the research group led by Prof. Dr. Dunja Bandelj from UP FAMNIT, whose research makes a significant contribution to the development of olive genetics and biotechnology.
The event brought together representatives of the local community, olive-growing experts, and olive growers in one place. Following the opening remarks by the Minister of Agriculture and the Mayor of the Municipality of Izola, a symbolic picking of the first olives took place, officially marking the start of this year’s season.
Participants were also able to view an exhibition of olives from across Slovenia, which offered insight into the diversity of Slovenian olive cultivation. The event also served as an opportunity for various stakeholders contributing to the development of olive cultivation in Slovenian Istria to meet and exchange experiences.
Participation in such events thus also represents an opportunity to connect research work with growers and the broader local community.
The event “The Mayors’ Olive—The Olive of Unity” thus brought together olive-growing tradition, research, and the local community, symbolically marking the start of the new olive harvest season.
