Orthodox Academy hosts conference on vegetable oils

Experts from across the world gathered at the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari last week for a 4-day workshop to discuss the future of vegetable oils. The conference, which was organised by the Working Group on Oilseed Crops of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the Sustainable Nutrition Scientific Board – which is funded by Nutella – aimed to investigate the production and the impact of these oils.

Vegetable oil experts at the Orthodox Academy of Crete
Delegates at last week’s conference on the future of vegetable oil production held at the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari.

According to a press release, while olive oil occupies an important place in Greek culture it is only one of hundreds of vegetable oils which are produced, distributed and consumed worldwide. Important oils such as soya, palm, sunflower, rapeseed and walnut dominate the market, but different regions have their own unique oils.

Olive oil can
Although the nutritional benefits and cultural significance of olive oil are well recognised, it is only one of hundreds of vegetable oils produced worldwide, which cover nearly 50 per cent of the planet’s agricultural areas.

Vegetable oils play a vital economic role, comprising almost half the planet’s agricultural areas and representing a market worth over €250 billion. However, the expansion of petroleum-producing areas to cover increased demand has negative effects as regards biodiversity and climate change. Socially, the production of vegetable oils also affects human rights and livelihood resources.

With more than 8 billion daily users of oils and fats worldwide, countering the global “fat gap” is becoming of vital concern. Some people do not have enough fat in their diet, and satisfying this need requires increased production of animal and vegetable fats, leading to different scenarios with significant impacts.

The workshop laid emphasis on the complexity of oilseed crop production, since vegetable oils are not only used in petroleum extraction, but also in food, animal feeds and biofuels. It emphasised the unrecognised cultural and economic importance of local oilseed crops, although olive oil stands out as an exception.

To ensure a better future for vegetable oils, the announcement says, a comprehensive approach to systems is needed, taking into account environmental, social and production values. Simply focussing on output or individual crops is insufficient. Aligning the future of oilseed crops with the aims of sustainability, preservation of biodiversity and within the framework of human rights is necessary for progress.
(Haniotika Nea)

07/07/2023