- by croatiaweek
- April 25, 2026
- in
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
OSIJEK, 25 April 2026 – The eastern Croatian city of Osijek has hosted the two-day Foodcooltour conference on food safety and sustainable production, bringing together leading national and international experts to address one of the most pressing global challenges.
Held on 23 and 24 April, the event gathered policymakers, scientists, industry leaders and international organisations to explore the future of food systems.
Among the key participants were Osijek Mayor Ivan Radić, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture David Vlajčić, Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Nataša Tramišak, and Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Dr Nikolaus Kriz.
Osijek positioned as future food innovation hub
Opening the conference at the Franjo Krežma Concert Hall, Mayor Radić highlighted Osijek’s growing importance in the field.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
He noted that the city’s strong academic base and its connection between agriculture, science and industry make it an ideal setting for such discussions.
Radić stressed that Osijek has the potential to become a leading European centre for the future of food, pointing to ongoing efforts to link research with practical application, strengthen producers and entrepreneurs, and develop infrastructure and innovation.
He underlined that collaboration and knowledge-sharing will ultimately shape the future of food more than technology or policy alone.
Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković emphasised the importance of the conference in connecting science, decision-makers and industry stakeholders.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
He described food security and agricultural production as highly relevant topics in the context of global challenges, warning that food is increasingly becoming a strategic resource.
Jandroković highlighted the need for Croatia to boost self-sufficiency across as many food products as possible, calling it a national priority.
The conference also featured representatives from the European Commission and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), alongside experts from leading European regulatory bodies such as Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.
Panels included voices from academia, economics, marketing, communications and IT, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of modern food systems.
Following the conference opening, officials visited Saponia, one of Osijek’s oldest industrial companies with more than 130 years of continuous production.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
The delegation toured the facilities with company leadership, highlighting its role as a major employer and a symbol of the city’s economic strength.
Mayor Radić described Saponia as an example of long-term business stability and social responsibility, noting its contribution to Osijek’s record employment levels.
County Prefect Tramišak praised the company’s commitment to preserving jobs and maintaining high production standards despite challenging economic conditions.
Company representatives confirmed plans for further investment and expansion, including new projects and job creation in the near future.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Participants concluded that events like Foodcooltour are vital for fostering dialogue and cooperation across sectors, particularly at a time when global food systems face increasing pressure.