Sicily arrives in Sarajevo from 5 to 10 July for a week that brings two frontier cultures into dialogue, united by stories of exchange and plural identities. During the 2026 Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, the Island – supported by the Regional Department for Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries – presents in the heart of the Balkans the quality of its agri‑food supply chains, highlighting research, professional skills, traceability, sustainability and gastronomic culture.
On the front line are Irvo (the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil), the “Gian Pietro Ballatore” Research Consortium and the Regional Union of Sicilian Chefs, committed to strengthening the presence of Sicilian wines and oils in the emerging markets of the Balkan area. Alongside them, a team of producers: for olive oil, Frantoio Manfredi, Olio Verde di Brancato, Oleum, Oleificio Gabriele Alberto, Evo Sicily, Azienda Agricola Fisicaro and Antico Frantoio Murgia; for wine, Firriato, Birgi Vini and Azzolino Winery.
This mission aims to create new commercial and cultural relationships, leveraging the dynamism of Sarajevo, a strategic hub for GDO, Horeca, buyers, distributors and hospitality structures.
“An additional step in the journey to expand and consolidate our presence in markets around the world – says the regional councillor for Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries Luca Sammartino – Investing in international promotion is a winning choice, with exports in the agricultural and agri‑food sector nearing two billion euros and continuing to grow steadily over the past four years.”
A full program of B2B meetings, workshops and masterclasses will accompany operators and professionals, with two key appointments dedicated to the sensory profile of Sicilian oils and wines.
Sicily in Sarajevo: a network growing in the Balkans
The Sicilian presence in Sarajevo stems from a clear vision: bringing the Island’s agri‑food heritage into an emerging market that is showing strong interest in identity‑driven, high‑quality products. The synergy with the Embassy of Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has paved the way for a project that combines promotion, training and institutional relations. Thus, from 5 to 10 July, Sicilian producers and operators meet chefs, buyers, F&B managers, specialized distributors and representatives of the Horeca system, which is particularly active in the food & beverage sector.
In a hospitality context that counts thousands of structures, Sicily finds fertile ground to express its identity through wine and oil, transformed by Irvo into tools of cultural and commercial dialogue.
Wine and oil: Irvo as ambassador of identity and innovation
The story of Sicilian supply chains becomes a journey through territories, cultivars and grape varieties that express the richness of the Island. Irvo leads this path with a qualified narrative that enhances certified quality, traditions and innovation. The olive‑oil and wine companies involved represent a mosaic of skills and production stories, ready to engage with an international audience attentive to sustainability and traceability. The mission in Sarajevo thus accelerates networking processes, creating new opportunities for a sector that continues to grow and strengthen its global positioning.
Masterclasses and meetings: Irvo’s program that tells Sicily’s story
The week’s schedule includes moments designed to explore the sensory profile of Sicilian products. On Monday 6 July at 11:30 the masterclass “Sicilian oils: sensory profile and peculiarities of the main Sicilian cultivars” will take place, while on Tuesday 7 July at 11:30 it will be time for “Sicilian wines: sensory profile and peculiarities of the main Sicilian grape varieties.” Both events are curated by the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil and represent a valuable opportunity for operators and professionals to discover the complexity and distinctiveness of the Island’s productions. Through workshops and B2B meetings, Sicily further consolidates its presence in the Balkans, building a bridge that connects territories, cultures and flavours.
