Varaždin County will host the 8th International Pumpkin Seed Oil Exhibition “Alpe-Adria” in May 2026 at the County Palace, the seat of Varaždin County. The exhibition will evaluate both refined and unrefined pumpkin seed oil from local and international producers.
The sample collection will take place in March 2026 in Varaždin County. Each applicant must submit samples in a dark glass and unlabeled bottles: one 0.25-liter bottle and one 0.50-liter bottle for evaluation, plus an additional bottle for exhibition and tasting at the event. The submitted oils will be evaluated by the evaluation commissions and the sensory panel in accordance with the Ordinance on the Evaluation of Pumpkin Seed Oils. We will coordinate with partners from Austria, Slovenia, and Hungary, as well as other institutions and producers, and the organizers expect a strong response and a successful event. Many applicants are anticipated, and the exhibition will receive significant live and media coverage. Since 2022 the jury has also received applications from the Czech Republic, a new participating country that demonstrates the event’s growing regional visibility.
A prize of € 2.000 will be awarded to the best oil. All applicants will receive diplomas and labels based on the chemical and sensory evaluation results.
The event will attract producers from across the Alps-Adriatic area, fostering connections, networking, and experience exchange. Expert lectures and professional workshops will help participants gain new knowledge and skills, contributing to improved oil quality.
By establishing the exhibition as a regular tradition, the Alps-Adriatic area becomes an example of successful interregional cooperation and a recognizable European microcosm known for producing pumpkin seed oil. The exhibition aims to increase public awareness of the benefits of consuming pumpkin seed oil.
Beyond its nutritional value, the oil has applications in gastronomy, pharmacology, and medicine. Our goal is to connect producers across the Alps-Adriatic region and develop a strong Alps-Adriatic brand.
Together with samples from Croatia this international event will include producers from neighboring countries with a shared culture and history (Slovenia, Austria, and Hungary) and other broader-area participants. The exhibition directly supports community cohesion, one of the strategic goals in the “Strategy of the Alps-Adriatic Geographic Area 2019-2027.”
Most project objectives have been achieved through the exhibition’s consistent organization over the past decade in Varaždin County, and we expect continued positive impact as new applicants join each year, expanding participation beyond traditional Alps-Adriatic members.
Pumpkin seed oil is a traditional, high-quality product that has been produced in Varaždin County for generations. It is widely recognized as a trademark of the Varaždin area, since production is concentrated in northern Croatia. For this reason, the county places special emphasis on pumpkin seed oil and organizes a range of activities both domestically and abroad.