From 21–26 June 2026, the 67th Oil Industry Conference took place in Herceg Novi, Montenegro, bringing together researchers, industry representatives, farmers, policymakers and other stakeholders involved in oilseed production, processing and market development.

Organised by the Business Association Industrial Plants (Poslovna zajednica Industrijsko bilje), the Faculty of Technology of the University of Novi Sad, and CARINA project partner Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (IFVCNS), the conference is one of the longest-running specialised events in the region dedicated to the oilseed sector. Around 65 participants from Argentina, Austria, China, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Serbia attended the event.

The conference programme covered a wide range of topics related to sustainable oilseed production and processing, including crop breeding, agronomic practices, food technologies, smart packaging, industrial processing and market developments. Presentations were followed by discussions that explored these topics from agronomic, technical and technological perspectives, while identifying priorities for future research and innovation.

Among the contributions, Dr. Dragana Rajković from IFVCNS presented project findings on stakeholder perceptions of camelina (Camelina sativa) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata). The presentation provided an opportunity to disseminate the project’s results to a diverse audience of agronomists, food technologists, industry representatives and policymakers.

The discussion highlighted that the successful introduction of alternative oilseed crops depends not only on their agronomic performance but also on effective knowledge transfer, market development and supportive policy frameworks. Participants also exchanged views on current challenges related to processing capacity and the development of sustainable value chains for these crops.

Beyond the scientific programme, the conference offered valuable networking opportunities, enabling the CARINA project partner to engage with stakeholders from across the oilseed value chain, exchange experiences and identify potential avenues for future collaboration in support of more sustainable and diversified agricultural systems.