From Waste to Opportunity: Transforming Olive and Citrus Residues in the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean agricultural sector is increasingly challenged by climate change, resource scarcity, and rising production costs. In this context, shifting from a linear model – produce, use, discard – to a circular and regenerative system is no longer optional, but essential.
The ORIENTATE project, funded under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, supports this transition by promoting the reuse of agricultural residues as valuable resources.
A central component of the project is its Job Shadowing activity, bringing together farmers, researchers, and agri-food professionals from across the Mediterranean (namely Italy, Spain, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey). Participants will visit innovative facilities in Sicily and in Valencia, where circular solutions are already being implemented at scale, namely:
These visits highlight a key reality: materials traditionally seen as waste – such as olive pomace or citrus peels – represent a significant undervalued opportunity.
According to EU-funded and Mediterranean circular bioeconomy initiatives, olive processing can generate up to 80–85% by-products, while citrus processing residues may account for 50–60% of the original fruit mass[1]. Rather than being a burden, these materials can be transformed into valuable products.
Examples include their use in animal nutrition, where they contribute to enriched feed and improved livestock health, and in cosmetics, health, and food sectors, where bioactive compounds like antioxidants are extracted for high-value applications. These approaches reduce waste and open new economic opportunities for farmers and agri-food businesses.
Why Read the Guidelines?
The ORIENTATE guidelines are essential to turn ideas into practice. They guide stakeholders in understanding the types of residues available, identifying suitable valorisation technologies, and assessing both economic and environmental benefits. In doing so, they support informed decision-making and facilitate the adoption of circular solutions in different local contexts.
Equally important is the project’s role in fostering collaboration. By connecting farmers, researchers, and industry actors, ORIENTATE promotes an ecosystem where the output of one process becomes the input of another. This integrated approach strengthens value chains, reduces environmental impact, and creates new sources of income.
The transition toward circular agriculture is already underway. Through initiatives like ORIENTATE, Mediterranean stakeholders are gaining the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to turn waste into opportunity – and to build a more resilient and sustainable agri-food system.
Last Update
01/06/2026
Next Med