The World Pistachio Congress (WPC), the first international congress on this food to be held in Europe, has unveiled the technical and business programme for this first edition, which will take place in Toledo on 27 and 28 January 2027.
Organised into seven thematic sessions over two days — the first devoted to growers and field production, the second to investment and business — the programme covers every link in the pistachio production and marketing chain: from plot selection and water management through to post-harvest, processing, sustainability, its relationship with health, communication and international markets. The full programme is already available on the Congress website: www.worldpistachiocongress.org/programa
The WPC comes at a decisive moment for a crop that faces the same challenges the world over. “All the world’s pistachio industries are grown in similar Mediterranean climates and therefore face the same problems”, explains Louise Ferguson, Chair of the Scientific Committee and researcher at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), who identifies climate change, water scarcity and salinity, and the spread of pests and diseases as the main ones. In her view, the key does not lie in any failure by the sector to react, but in the availability of solutions: “The pistachio tree evolved under extreme conditions and we are still learning how to take advantage of its adaptations to produce profitably”.
The first day, 27 January, will focus on the grower and on field production. Following Louise Ferguson’s opening lecture, the sessions will be “Site selection, varieties, rootstocks and orchard establishment”, which will address climate adaptation, plot assessment, plant breeding and the choice of varieties and rootstocks, and “Irrigation, orchard management and harvesting”, focusing on irrigation physiology and water use efficiency, fertilisation and soil management, orchard maintenance and harvesting practices, from rain-fed to the most intensive systems.
The second day, 28 January, will turn the spotlight on investment and business through five sessions: “Post-harvest, processing, quality and food safety”, on post-harvest treatment, processing, nut quality and microbiological safety; “Sustainable production”, devoted to circular business models, by-product valorisation and environmental resilience; “Pistachios and health”, covering the nutritional benefits and the scientific evidence on their consumption; “Communication and marketing”, on brand image, digital communication and the international positioning of pistachios; and “International markets and trade”, which will analyse export trends, trade policy, tariffs and market development strategies. The Congress will close with a round table on world pistachio trade in 2030, its scenarios, risks and opportunities.
More than 100 registrations from across the value chain
With just over three months to go, the WPC has already passed 100 registrations, from every link in the pistachio value chain. Professionals, companies, researchers, growers, traders and institutional representatives wishing to attend can register through the Congress’s official website: www.worldpistachiocongress.org/inscripcion
In addition, those wishing to present their research can take part in the WPC Scientific Poster Competition by submitting their abstract before 15 November 2026. The Scientific Committee will select the two most interesting proposals for oral presentation during the Congress. The submission rules and template are available at: www.worldpistachiocongress.org/concurso-posteres
Organised by AgriFood Comunicación and supported by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, the Congress aims to become the leading international meeting point for every link in the value chain: growers, processors, traders, researchers and institutions from the world’s main producing and consuming countries.
The Congress already has the backing of major companies in the sector, such as Solagro, Agroisa and COMPO EXPERT, Platinum sponsors; Sabadell, Cimbria, Alltech Crop Science, TOMRA Food, Grupo Detia Degesch and Flory, Gold sponsors; and Grupo IberoPistacho, Agróptimum, AgroBank, Veolia and Agroseguro, Silver sponsors, whose support contributes to driving innovation and growth in the pistachio industry worldwide.
The WPC invites everyone to be part of this collaborative international project and encourages them to explore the cooperation and sponsorship options available; all the information required can be obtained from the Congress Technical Secretariat (+34 91 721 79 29) or by emailing info@worldpistachiocongress.org.
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