Expoliva is the ideal platform to share the exceptional results achieved with Alfa Laval’s vacuum-based extraction method. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Alfa Laval will showcase the outstanding performance of its Olive Oil Booster system at the XXII International Trade Fair for Olive Oil and Related Industries (Expoliva 2025), taking place from 14-16 May in Jaén, Spain

The region surrounding La Selva Del Camp in northern Spain is now at the forefront of modern innovation. A forward-thinking partnership between the century-old cooperative Coselva and Alfa Laval is driving a new era of premium olive oil production.

As the leading global event in the olive oil sector, Expoliva is the ideal platform to share the exceptional results achieved with Alfa Laval’s vacuum-based extraction method. At Coselva, this innovative technology enabled a 10% increase in the extraction of premium extra virgin olive oil and a 20% boost in polyphenol content, marking a major advance in both efficiency and nutritional quality.

With global food demand expected to rise 70% by 2050, innovation in food processing is critical. Alfa Laval’s technologies are designed to maximise the availability of nutritious food while minimising environmental impact.

The Olive Oil Booster system integrates advanced thermal and separation processes, including a plate heat exchanger and centrifugal decanter—to improve performance without disrupting traditional production flow. When combined with Alfa Laval’s crusher and vertical centrifuge, the system significantly increases both oil yield and antioxidant levels compared to conventional methods.

The International Dealer Centre will again serve as the central meeting point for the international agricultural machinery trade at Agritechnica 2025. (Image source: Agritechnica)

This year's Agritechnica 2025 will bring in a range of new developments aimed at advancing steady digitalisation on farms

As the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, Agritechnica 2025 will take place from 9-15 November in Hanover, Germany, bringing together manufacturers, dealers, farmers, and industry experts from around the globe, fostering international exchange and networking. This year’s edition introduces new formats aimed at enhancing visibility and connections within the sector. Registered dealers can be listed on the official website and in the trade fair app, making them easily accessible to both customers and exhibitors.

Agricultural equipment dealers have limited ability to respond to external pressures such as deferred purchasing by farms, extreme weather events, and political uncertainty – though some are countering with attractive sales or financing offers. When it comes to digitalisation, which poses a direct and internal challenge for the trade, the situation looks different: Success increasingly depends on the expertise, technical know-how, and the quality of digital solutions and services offered by machinery dealers. 

"Agricultural equipment dealers are expected to integrate digital technologies into their portfolios and provide tailored solutions to farmers. But this is often easier said than done. The technologies involved are complex and require extensive consultation, while rapid innovation cycles in systems, machines, and software demand constant upskilling," says Ralph Königs, Business segment dealer manager, Agritechnica.

The International Dealer Centre will again serve as the central meeting point for the international agricultural machinery trade at Agritechnica 2025. Trade visitors can access an exclusive lounge for dealers, business partners, customers, and employees. Daily 'Pop-up Talk Dealer' sessions will feature international speakers, followed by informal networking opportunities. An on-site information counter will also be available to address questions on training and professional development in the sector. 

AAGB-2025 featured a comprehensive scientific programme, including three plenary talks and a high-level panel discussion focused on outlining a roadmap for groundnut improvement over the next decade. (Image source: ICRISAT)

ICRISAT in collaboration with the Peanut Research Foundation organised the 13th International Conference on Advances in Arachis through Genomics and Biotechnology (AAGB-2025) which took place from 23-25 March 2025 in Goa, India

The AAGB-2025 served as a vital platform for bringing together a global community of scientists, researchers, and industry experts to explore cutting-edge developments in groundnut (peanut) genomics and biotechnology and the innovations aimed at enhancing crop resilience, productivity, and nutritional quality. The conference saw participation from over 250 delegates from more than 18 countries including India, China, the US, Japan, Mali, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, among others.

AAGB-2025 featured a comprehensive scientific programme, including three plenary talks and a high-level panel discussion focused on outlining a roadmap for groundnut improvement over the next decade. The event also hosted 10 thematic scientific sessions, bringing together leading experts from around the world. In addition, the three-day conference also featured a dedicated poster session showcasing 26 posters. The conference provided a valuable platform for young researchers and students to present their work and interact with global experts.

These sessions covered a wide array of critical topics, including genebank genomics and pan-genomics, trait mapping and gene discovery, genomics-assisted breeding, food safety, nutrition and quality, functional genomics, genome editing, and other emerging technologies. Discussions also focused on strategies for effectively translating genetic innovations into practical applications in groundnut cropping systems. 

Awards were also presented by deputy director general – research and innovation, ICRISAT, Dr Stanford Blade for five outstanding posters and five exceptional presentations by young researchers during the conference.  Another key highlight of the event was the involvement from industry stakeholders, with exhibitions by organisations such as DSS Takara, the South Africa Groundnut Association (SAGA), and Premas Life Sciences, underscoring the strong industry-science partnership in advancing groundnut research.

“For dryland crops like groundnut, strong partnerships and collaborative efforts are essential to drive meaningful impact at the field level. It is encouraging to witness the active engagement of both national and international partners, including the Peanut Research Foundation, in advancing this critical area of research,” said director general of ICRISAT, Dr Himanshu Pathak. President of the Peanut Research Foundation, Dr Steve Brown joined the event virtually and expressed his pleasure regarding their partnership in organising the conference. 

Attendees at the show will get the opportunity to discover how Berry’s expertise in both flexible and rigid plastics enables the development of packaging. (Image source: Berry Global)

Berry Global will be showcasing its latest circular packaging innovations for the food industry at this year’s Foodex exhibition scheduled to take place from 7-9 April at NEC Birmingham

The display will focus on circularity-driven solutions - such as the use of mono-materials for improved recyclability, and recycled content in non-contact sensitive applications such as collation shrink films and stretch wrap for pallet protection - while maintaining essential packaging roles like product protection, preservation, and consumer convenience.

Attendees at the show will get the opportunity to discover how Berry’s expertise in both flexible and rigid plastics enables the development of packaging that supports brand positioning, enhances functionality and meets the evolving requirements of food producers and retailers.

Flexible packaging highlights will include:

- Omni Xtra + Cling Film: A recyclable polyethylene alternative to PVC cling film, delivering high clarity, anti-fog properties, and strong shelf presence.

- Entour Mono-Material Lamination Films: Designed for bags, pouches, and flow wraps, these films offer a recyclable* alternative to hard-to-recycle multi-material structures.

- Mono-Material Pouches: Berry’s mono-material pouches offer a recyclable* solution for dry food applications such as snacks and pet foods, delivering excellent barrier properties, durability, and high-quality print surfaces to support strong branding and shelf impact.

- Films for Frozen Foods and Snacks: Designed for versatility and durability, Berry’s range of single wound sheet (SWS) films provide robust protection for many types of products including frozen food and snacks. Made from recyclable mono-material polyethylene, they can supportsustainability goals without compromising performance.

- Secondary &Tertiary Packaging: Containing high-quality post-consumer recycled content, Berry’s Collation Shrink Film and Bontite Sustane 30% PCR Stretch Film are helping customers meet their targets to include more recycled materials while maintaining packaging integrity.

On the other hand, rigid packaging innovations range from squeezable bottles to high-capacity jars that are designed to meet the practical demands of both consumer-facing brands and busy foodservice environments. Two notable products include their Euro Squeeze and Orion bottles that offer easy, mess-free dispensing for sauces, dressings and condiments, with compatibility across multiple closures and fill types. Two other examples include Sapphire and Bear jars that provide durable, stackable solutions for larger volume applications.

With a focus on functionality, storage efficiency, and labelling flexibility, all formats are also designed for recycling – supporting customers’ sustainability goals without compromising performance or usability.

These discussions provided valuable perspectives on the future of regenerative agriculture, advanced horticulture techniques, and technological innovations shaping the industry. (Image source: Horti Agri Next)

The first edition of Horti Agri Next Asia 2025 has successfully concluded last week, marking a significant milestone in bridging agriculture, horticulture, feed technology, and crop technology within the industry

The event welcomed 5,663 trade visitors from 36 countries, who explored cutting-edge solutions from 70 leading companies representing 14 countries across Asia. It highlighted the strong synergy between Horti Agri Next Asia (HAN Asia) and VIV Asia 2025, fostering collaboration across key sectors. 

Beyond the product showcase, the event served as a dynamic networking hub, bringing together industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovators to exchange insights on market trends, emerging business opportunities and the latest advancements. A key highlight of the event was the comprehensive conference programme, featuring 18 sessions and 77 expert speakers from across Asia. These discussions provided valuable perspectives on the future of regenerative agriculture, advanced horticulture techniques, and technological innovations shaping the industry.

Co-located with VIV Health & Nutrition Asia 2026, the next edition of Horti Agri Next Asia will take place from 11-13 March 2026, at BITEC in Bangkok, Thailand.