From 2 to 6 September 2026, CITRUSBUSTERS was presented at Agrokomplex 2026 in Nitra, one of Slovakia’s most established international agricultural and food exhibitions. Slovakia may not grow citrus commercially, but citrus protection still matters to its food system.

Now in its 51st edition, Agrokomplex is co-organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic and agrokomplex NÁRODNÉ VÝSTAVISKO, state enterprise. The exhibition brings together farmers, growers, industry representatives, researchers, public authorities and consumers. In 2025, it welcomed more than 92,000 visitors. The main exhibition runs alongside the National Exhibition of Farm Animals, Agrosalón, and the Hunting, Forestry and Fishing exhibition.

The citrus you eat, wherever you grow it

Slovakia may not produce citrus, but its consumers buy citrus fruits every day. Its policymakers contribute to shaping European food-system regulations. And its researchers can add knowledge, innovation and expertise to the wider effort towards more resilient crop protection across the continent.

The challenges affecting the food that reaches European supermarket shelves do not stop at the borders of the countries where that food is grown. Huanglongbing (HLB) and Citrus Black Spot (CBS), the two most devastating citrus diseases in the world, are posing an increasing threat to the Mediterranean region. The tools being developed by CITRUSBUSTERS today will help shape the citrus that Europe eats tomorrow.

Under one roof

CITRUSBUSTERS’ partner PEDAL Consulting, communication and dissemination lead of the project, represented CITRUSBUSTERS at Pavilion M2. It was showcased alongside fourteen other EU-funded initiatives working across agriculture, bioeconomy, circular economy, food systems, rural development and climate resilience.

Visitors met the CITRUSBUSTERS communication team, learned about the science behind Europe’s next generation of citrus protection, discovered the project’s work on early detection, plant resilience and sustainable biocontrol, and connected with a wider ecosystem of European innovation initiatives.

For CITRUSBUSTERS, being at Agrokomplex was about connecting citrus protection with the wider European food system.

Contact: PEDAL Consulting, info@citrusbusters.eu