Bosnia hosts 53rd International Agriculture and Food Industry Fair

Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton Irfan Halilagić opened the 53rd International Agriculture and Food Industry Fair - the Plum Fair in Gradačac, the oldest specialised trade fair in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Spread across around 5,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor exhibition space, the fair will run until August 15 and feature around 150 exhibitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia, CE Report informs via the Tuzla Canton's official website.

This year’s fair will once again bring together agricultural producers, processors, businesses, experts and institutions, providing a platform to showcase domestic products, modern technologies and new business opportunities.

“The Plum Fair is much more than an exhibition. For more than half a century, it has been a place where tradition, knowledge and entrepreneurship meet, while the hardworking people of this region demonstrate the quality of domestic production. The plum is a symbol of Gradačac, but this fair sends a much broader message – that agriculture, the food industry and stronger links between producers and processors represent an important development opportunity for Tuzla Canton and the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Prime Minister Halilagić said.

Emphasising that domestic producers need greater security, better product processing and stronger access to the market, the Prime Minister stressed that the Government of Tuzla Canton would continue to maintain a partnership-based approach towards farmers.

“Our goal is not only to increase production, but to create conditions for as much of the added value as possible to remain here – through processing, new jobs and products that will be competitive on the domestic and international markets. Fairs like this provide an opportunity to present results, exchange experiences and establish business links that can develop into new investments. That is why Gradačac and the Plum Fair will continue to have a reliable partner in the Government of Tuzla Canton,” Halilagić said, before officially declaring the 53rd Plum Fair open.

The opening programme began with a reception for officials and guests at the Tower of Husein-kapetan Gradaščević, hosted by Gradačac Mayor Hajrudin Mehanović. Participants then walked together to the fairgrounds.

At the official opening ceremony, former President of Croatia Stjepan Mesić also addressed the attendees alongside Prime Minister Halilagić. Mesić is a regular guest whose presence adds to the significance of the event each year.

This year’s fair places particular emphasis on exhibitors from the dairy, milling, and fruit and vegetable processing sectors, as well as agricultural machinery, equipment and other modern technologies. The accompanying programme includes the 9th International Beekeeping Fair, the second competitive exhibition of dairy breeds, a Gastro Fest dedicated to plums, as well as professional and scientific conferences on current issues in agricultural production and the food industry.

Alongside Prime Minister Halilagić and President of the Tuzla Canton Assembly Ivana Mijatović, the Tuzla Canton delegation included ministers Nedžad Bristrić, Fedahija Ahmetović, Senada Dizdarević and Fadil Alić.

The fair, organised by the Tourist Board of the City of Gradačac and the City of Gradačac, is open to visitors from 10:00 to 18:00, and until 17:00 on the final day. Admission is free.

Photo Tuzla Canton