The 20th AGROEXPO – International Agriculture and Livestock Fair, Türkiye largest and one of Europe’s top four fairs in its field, kicked off in İzmir. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized the critical role of sustainable agriculture and food for the future of life, stating, “If agriculture and food are not sustainable, life on Earth will not be sustainable. Last year, we supported more than 49,000 producers with over 250 million TL, and we will continue to increase this support.”
The fair, organized by Orion Fairs with Progen as the main sponsor, will host local and international visitors at Fair İzmir until February 8. Over 1,000 companies and participants from 90 countries are taking part in this significant event, aimed at advancing agriculture and livestock.
Key Highlights from Opening Speeches:
- Mayor Cemil Tugay: Emphasized the importance of protecting agricultural lands, sustainable water usage, and transforming organic waste into compost. Tugay also announced plans to extend İzmir's Buca Metro line to Fair İzmir to improve accessibility.
- Mustafa Şahin, İzmir’s Agricultural Director: Highlighted İzmir's role as a leading agricultural and dairy-producing city, with AGROEXPO providing a vital platform for industry collaboration and technological innovation.
- Işınsu Kestelli, Chair of İzmir Commodity Exchange: Stressed agriculture and livestock’s strategic importance for Türkiye economy and social balance.
- Selami Özpoyraz, İzmir Chamber of Commerce Assembly President: Praised AGROEXPO’s 20-year journey as a success story for İzmir.
- Jak Eskinazi, EIB Coordinator: Shared that in 2024, Türkiye exported $36 billion in agricultural products, with EIB alone contributing 21% of this total.
- Fatih Tan, Chairman of ORION Fairs: Celebrated the fair’s 20th anniversary, emphasizing the potential and resilience of the Turkish people in achieving significant milestones.
AGROEXPO is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors this year, underscoring its role as a pivotal event for agricultural innovation and sector development.