Castanea Expo 2026: two national conferences on nutraceuticals, health and the environment at the heart of the event

Florence, 2 November 2026. The countdown is on for the return of Castanea Expo 2026, the international exhibition dedicated to the chestnut-growing supply chain and the world of chestnuts, taking place from 11 to 13 December at the Fortezza da Basso exhibition centre in Florence.

Organised by Firenze Fiera, the event confirms its position as a key gathering for the entire industry, bringing together businesses, institutions, research organisations and local communities, while providing a platform for discussion on opportunities for the sector’s development. The programme will include B2B meetings, tastings, training sessions and networking opportunities, as well as show cooking events organised in collaboration with the Vetrina Toscana project, promoted by Toscana Promozione, and food workshops curated by Slow Food Italia.

Production quality, new applications and sustainability will be among the key themes of the 2026 edition. Italy continues to be a leading country in the sector, thanks to the quality and excellence of its marron and chestnut production, concentrated in mountain areas and along the entire Apennine mountain range. The harvest stands out for its high quality, highlighting the potential of Italian chestnut cultivation, which must now look to the future by focusing on enhancing the value of its products.

The aim is to create greater value for products reaching the market, strengthening the recognition of Italian produce while investing in research and technological innovation.

These topics will be at the heart of two national conferences organised by the Chestnut Study and Documentation Centre (CSDC), a member of the fair’s Scientific Steering Committee. The conferences will explore two key issues for the future of the supply chain: the opportunities offered by food and nutraceutical applications, and the role of chestnut groves in protecting human health and the environment.

The programme will begin on Friday, 11 December, at the Teatrino Lorenese with the 28th Chestnut Meeting and Debate, dedicated to “Food and Nutraceuticals”.

The proceedings, introduced and chaired by Massimo Vincenzini and Elvio Bellini (Accademia dei Georgofili and CSDC), will examine changing chestnut consumption patterns in Italy and Europe, with a presentation by Luciano Trentini (CSDC), as well as the nutritional properties of chestnuts in the contemporary diet, illustrated by Francesco Cipriani, Nutrition Consultant for ARS and Full Member of the Accademia dei Georgofili.

The session will conclude with a presentation by Manuela Giovannetti, from the Department of Agricultural, Food and Agro-Environmental Sciences at the University of Pisa and the Accademia dei Georgofili, focusing on the nutraceutical quality of chestnuts.

This will be followed by the presentation of the book “Il Castagno. Manuale Tecnico-Agronomico” (The Chestnut Tree: A Technical and Agronomic Handbook), edited by Gabriele Beccaro, Giovanni Gamba and Maria Gabriella Mellano.

On Saturday, 12 December, also at the Teatrino Lorenese, the focus will shift to “Health and the Environment” for the 29th Chestnut Meeting and Debate.

Chaired by Simone Orlandini and Elvio Bellini (University of Florence and CSDC), leading experts in the field will explore the role of chestnut groves as ecological and landscape infrastructure throughout the Apennine region.

Key speakers will include Mauro Agnoletti (Director of the UNESCO Chair on Agricultural Heritage Landscapes – University of Florence), Luca Dondini (University of Bologna) and Claudio Cantini (Institute of BioEconomy, National Research Council – CNR). Their presentations will address biodiversity protection, technologies for sustainable management and the role of chestnut groves in helping prevent hydrogeological instability and soil erosion.

Visitors can register and obtain a free fast-track admission ticket for Castanea Expo 2026 through the event’s official website:

Castanea Expo 2026 is held under the patronage of:

MASAF – Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry; Tuscany Regional Government; Municipality of Florence; Florence Chamber of Commerce; ANCI Toscana; CIA Toscana; Confagricoltura Toscana; Legacoop Agroalimentare; Slow Food Italia; PEFC Italia; Re.Na.I.A. – National Network of Hotel and Catering Institutes; Chestnut Study and Documentation Centre (CSDC); National Association of Chestnut Towns; Unpli Nazionale – National Union of Italian Pro Loco Associations; Uncem – National Union of Mountain Municipalities, Communities and Authorities; University of Florence – Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI).