“Hungary is now capable of GMO-free, world-class agricultural production; this is what is being showcased at the 78th National Agriculture and Food Industry Exhibition and Fair (OMÉK), which opens in Budapest in to weeks’ time”, Minister of Agriculture Sándor Fazekas said on Wednesday at a press conference to promote the event at eh museum of Agriculture in the capital’s City Park.

Mr. Fazekas told reporters that Hungarian agriculture has been continuously expanding in recent years, with output exceeding 2619 billion forints (EUR 8.5bn) in 2016, the value of agricultural exports increasing by 37.5 percent since 2010 and the foreign trade surplus increasing by 34.9 percent over a similar six-year period. “All this provides a suitable foundation for assuring that the OMÉK expo will provide novelties and valuable information to both the trade and general public”, the Minister said.

The agriculture and food industry expo, which is organised every two years, will be held on 20-25 September at the Hungexpo exhibition centre in Budapest, he added. Experts have been invited to attend a professional day prior to the official opening of the expo, which will also be held prior to all future OMÉK exhibitions, the Minister also noted.

Mr. Fazekas pointed out that the OMÉK is the most prestigious and oldest Hungarian agriculture and food industry expo, and for several years now has been a celebration not only for Hungarian farmers, but also for agriculture professional from within the whole Carpathian Basin. According to the Minister, this year’s expo will be the largest ever, with some 1000 exhibitors and an expected 100,000 visitors.

Japan will be the guest of honour at this year’s expo, and the far-eastern country is one of Hungary’s most important trade partners. Farmers’ associations from within the Carpathia basin will be on who over a total of 400 square metres, with 122 exhibitors and culinary delicacies from across the border. Visitors to the event can expect a diverse professional and cultural programme including a children’s and bio- island, the Minister said.

Minister of State for Agricultural Economy György Czerván said Hungary has outstanding trade relations with Japan, citing as an example the fact that the far-eastern country is the largest importer of Hungarian pork. In addition to mangalitsa and other pork products, there is also high demand for grey cattle, duck, goose meat and game products, and for Hungarian wines.

Last year, Hungarian agriculture sector exports to japan approached 126 million euros, an 80 percent increase compares to three years ago. Japan has become the most important target country in Asia for Hungarian agricultural exports, while imports from the far-eastern country are negligible”, the Minister of State said.

(Ministry of Agriculture Press Office)