47th International Agricultural – Food Fair | Gornja Radgona, Slovenia
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from Saturday 29th August to Saturday 5th September, 2009

Final report

47th INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD AGRA

From the 29th August until 5th September 2009, the trade fair AGRA with its 65.300 m2 constituted the stage where 1.680 exhibitors from 29 countries presented themselves to a large public.
This year's greatest professional emphasis was given to the commercial and professional presentations of ecological and integrated farming. Latest achievements in the fields of machines and equipment for agriculture and forestry from renowned producers from all over the world were presented. Particular attention was paid to new ways of ecological farming without the use of herbicides and to hail protection systems.
The trade fair also showed the latest products for the care of animals and plants as well as seeds. There was a rich selection of food products and devices for their preparation. Regional trademarks from Slovenia and its neighbouring countries were presented as well as products for the exploitation of renewable energy sources and craft products. The project "Vino Slovenija Gornja Radgona" appeared for the first time as a fair within the trade fair. The international character of the event was underlined by the foreign countries and regions represented at the AGRA fair. Governmental, economical and specialized institutions responsible for the agricultural and economic politics in Slovenia took an active part in the fair's programme of exhibitions and conferences.

This year's cattle exhibitions met with the visitors' enthusiasm, as they were professionally well prepared and labelled as the most beautiful so far. The bovine exhibition, the exhibition of horses, pigs and small cattle with the daily expert comments, shows in the cattle ring and the guided visits should be mentioned especially. There was also great interest for the exhibitions of fish and reptiles, bee-keeping, small animals and Karst sheep dogs. The sample gardens, the park and the plantations of crop plants with their guided visits were like an oasis of green and quiet amidst the bustling activity of the trade fair.

The trade fair AGRA had 125 accompanying events to offer to a professional and to a large interested public, among these events there were 65 conferences and business meetings. The focal points were current topics and problems of agriculture and husbandry. Further to mention were the numerous professional, competitive and social events which took place at the fair, such as the 11th National Wood Chopping Championship of Forest Owners, the Polka dance competition, the honey market, the ecological market, the oil market and the tasting of fried potatoes, the farmers' market etc. On the 4th and 5th September 2009 the trade fair AGRA was present at the 56th World Ploughing Championship in nearby Moravske Toplice. Nearly 1400 medals and distinctions were awarded in the frame of the quality contests of the 47th International Fair of Agriculture and Food AGRA. Of course many of the awarded products could then be seen and tasted at the trade fair.

In a declaration made in the press centre at the closing of the fair AGRA, Janez Erjavec, General Manager, summarized the events of the past eight days as follows:

"This year's 47th International Fair of Agriculture and Food AGRA, which was solemnly inaugurated by the President of the Slovenian Republic Mr Danilo Türk, has fulfilled all the expectations of the organizers and I am quite certain of the exhibitors and visitors too. This year's fair did not only reflect the momentary situation of agriculture in this part of Europe but rather presented guide lines for the future. It may even be suggested that optimism is coming up again in agriculture and farming because of the still numerous unexploited opportunities.
All the events as well in the exhibition as in the conference part of the fair showed a great deal of insights referring to the past as well as wishes for the future.

The fair AGRA was a great opportunity for purchases, for collecting information on the best agricultural techniques, the best food products and the most carefully considered professional solutions. Present at the fair were not only the most successful suppliers, who wish to be distinguished on the Slovenian market, but also those suppliers for whom the trade fair is considered as a test for the future production of their products. With its promotional activities, its information basis and its contacts with exhibitors the exhibition company Pomurski sejem greatly contributed to the promotion of the Ploughing World Championship. It offered an excellent opportunity for the participants and the visitors of the World Ploughing Contest to visit the nearby fair and get acquainted with the entire offer of the region.

This year's trade fair AGRA was visited by many of our neighbours from Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Italy. In spite of the altered date of this year's event, the longer duration and the bad prospects due to the economic crisis the trade fair was visited by 130.000 visitors and has thus fulfilled our expectations. The end of the trade fair AGRA 2009 is the beginning of our plans for AGRA 2010. Next year, the event will take place at its usual date again and will also last for the usual period again, that is one day less than this year. The new agricultural strategy for the coming decades was presented during this year's fair, a strategy which considers the present strategy and circumstances of agriculture in Europe and the World. Next year's event is expected to follow the trends and guidelines for agriculture in Slovenia, especially for the food branch which is so important for successful farming and for the preservation of rural areas. As organizers of the trade fair AGRA we are optimistic and we wish to integrate this optimism in all our future projects linked to this event. We should like to express our cordial thanks to the Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Mr Milan Pogačnik, as well as to all institutions, exhibitors, visitors and colleagues for sharing in this optimism."

Personal data of the 47th International Fair of Agriculture and Food - AGRA

- Total exhibition surface - 65.300 m2
- Indoor exhibition space - 22.500 m2
- Outdoor exhibition space - 25.200 m2
- Cattle exhibitions - 2.600 m2
- Sample garden, show ring, show pavilion - 15.000 m2
- Number of exhibitors - 1.680
- from Slovenia - 1.055
- from abroad - 625
- Participating countries - 29
- Number of visitors - 130.000

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Detailed Information:

Mateja Jaklič, Head of the Sales Department, telephone: +386 2/5642 100,
fax: +386 2/5642 160
e-mail: info@pomurski-sejem.si
Jana Dimec, Project Manager, telephone: +386 2/5642 108,
e-mail: jana.dimec@pomurski-sejem.si
Andrej Slogovič, Project Manager, telephone: +386 2/5642 112
e-mail: andrej.slogovic@pomurski-sejem.si
Miran Mate, Public Relations Manager, telephone +386 41 263 107
e-mail: miran.mate@pomurski-sejem.si
Robi Fišer, Technical Department Project Manager, telephone: +386 2/5642 113,
e-mail: robi.fiser@pomurski-sejem.si


http://www.pomurski-sejem.si