The Horizon Europe VALPRO Path project, coordinated by Teagasc, will host its tenth webinar on 30 July 2026, exploring the opportunities and challenges of developing sustainable peanut value chains in Europe. Titled “Creating Plant Protein Value Chains – Peanuts”, the session will bring together experts from research, agriculture, and industry to examine how peanuts could become a viable, high-value crop for European farmers and contribute to more sustainable and resilient food systems.
With growing interest in diversifying European protein crop production and strengthening locally sourced food value chains, peanuts are emerging as an alternative crop with potential for both agricultural and commercial development. The webinar will explore the opportunities for growing peanuts in Northern Europe, the challenges of scaling production, and the links between cultivation, processing, and innovative food applications.
Webinar Highlights
The webinar will feature presentations from experts working across different stages of the peanut value chain, sharing practical experiences, research findings, and industry perspectives.
- Variety Selection and Scaling European Peanut Production: Mark O’Brien, Business Development Manager at Beotanics Ltd., will present insights into identifying peanut varieties and European growing regions with the potential to support commercially viable production. His presentation will highlight the role of field trials, grower networks, and suitable varieties in establishing peanuts as a high-value crop alternative for European farmers and processors.
- Growing Peanuts in Northern Europe: Timo Bodynek, founder of Going Nuts, will share his experiences as a young peanut farmer and entrepreneur in the Netherlands. His contribution will explore the realities of peanut cultivation in Northern European conditions, including agronomic challenges, lessons from growing peanuts locally, and the opportunities and requirements for building a new regional peanut value chain.
- Research, Cultivation, and Food Applications: Dr Mohsen Kamani, Research Officer at Teagasc, will present research insights into peanut cultivation and its potential applications within sustainable food systems. His contribution will highlight the role of research and innovation in addressing production challenges and exploring opportunities for peanut-based food products.
Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to join an interactive discussion and Q&A session, moderated by Dr Richard Lynch from Teagasc. The discussion will provide an opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities for connecting European peanut production with processing, product development, and emerging market needs.
The session will be opened and moderated by Dr Richard Lynch, VALPRO Path’s Project Manager at Teagasc, who will introduce the project and guide the exchange between speakers and participants.
Through its webinar series, VALPRO Path brings together researchers, farmers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and explore practical solutions for developing sustainable plant protein value chains across Europe.
All interested parties are invited to participate and register HERE.
About VALPRO Path: From harnessing on-farm processes to creating business models, VALPRO Path aims to turn food-chain actors towards sustainable plant protein production. The project’s mission is to pioneer fresh possibilities, validating and showcasing ways to enhance plant protein production for food and feed in the EU.
For updates and additional information, visit the VALPRO Path Website and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
Media contacts
For media inquiries and further details about the VALPRO Path project, please contact the dissemination and communication team:
Mladen Radišić: mladen@foodscalehub.com;
Tamara Trninić Gondi: tamara@foodscalehub.com
Dušan Čenejac Šimpraga: dcenejac@foodscalehub.com
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