The 29th Agrotica International Fair for Agricultural Machinery, Equipment & Supplies was the focus of the agricultural world of Greece and the broader Balkan region. It welcomed 113,850 visitors from 20 to 23 October at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

Centred around the mechanisation of agriculture, innovation, and high technology in agricultural production, this year’s Agrotica, following the pandemic, once again laid out the main priorities of the primary sector on an international level.

At the same time, the event created a number of benefits for Thessaloniki, its enterprises, and the local economy, by hosting thousands of exhibitors and many tens of thousands of visitors.

Agrotica attracted 1650 exhibitors from 49 countries, and welcomed both individual hosted buyers and business delegations from 15 countries. More specifically, this year’s event was visited by individual hosted buyers from 12 countries (Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates), groups from Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria, and two business delegations fro Iraqi Kurdistan; specifically, one business delegation from the region of Sulaymaniyah and another from Erbil, coordinated by the local Chamber of Commerce.

There was also a rich programme of side events with specialised conferences and colloquiums outlining the latest developments in agricultural production.

The 9th AGROTICA Panhellenic Conference was of critical importance among side events. It featured scientists, entrepreneurs, technocrats, academics, agronomists, and others, who highlighted all the critical issues facing agriculture. The 9th Panhellenic Conference on ‘New technologies as a driver for sustainable growth in Agriculture’ was held on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October at the ‘N. Germanos’ Congress Centre, while it that have co-organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Environment of AUTH. Other events held in the context of the event included ‘Producers-Agrotechnology-Bioeconomy in digital transformation’, which was co-organised by TIF-Helexpo and the Institute of Bio-Economy and Agro-Technology (iBo)/CERTH, as well as the colloquium organised by TIF-Helexpo and Alegre Growshop on pharmaceutical cannabis.

The 29th Agrotica was organised with the support of the Association of Manufacturers of Agricultural Machinery (EKAGEM), the Machinery Importers’ – Representatives’ Association (SEAM), and the Association of Fertiliser Producers and Traders (SPEL), while it was placed under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, and the Ministry of the Interior (Macedonia Thrace).

02/11/2022 – 12:12

1650 exhibitors from 49 countries  The entire spectrum of agricultural enterprise  at this year’s event,  from 20 to 23 October

The Agrotica Agricultural Machinery, Equipment & Supplies Trade Fair is back with a sold out event, after two years of absence. With 1650 exhibitors from 49 countries, a broad programme of individual hosted buyers and organised business delegations from a total of 15 countries, and the entire business world of the sector, this year’s Agrotica is proving to be one of the largest events in recent years.

The 29th Agrotica, being held from 20 to 23 October, has attracted the overall presence of businesses from the entire spectrum of agricultural production and technology from all over Greece, while participations include the largest companies in the trade and sale of supplies and agricultural machinery, as well as all tractor firms. This year’s event is also welcoming individual hosted buyers from 12 countries (Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates), group visits from Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria, and two business delegations fro Iraqi Kurdistan; specifically, a business delegation from the region of Sulaymaniyah and a business delegation from Erbil, coordinated by the Erbil Chamber of Commerce. At the same time, large organised delegations consisting of many thousands of visitors from all over Greece are expected, as major interest is being expressed in this year’s event by agricultural cooperatives, producer groups, etc.

This year’s event is framed by a rich programme of side events, with the following highlights:

-The 9th Agrotica Panhellenic Conference, with the participation of scientists, entrepreneurs, technocrats, academics, agronomists and many others who will highlight all the critical issues facing agriculture. The Conference on ‘New technologies as a driver for sustainable growth in Agriculture’ will be held on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October at the ‘N. Germanos’ Congress Centre, while it is co-organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Environment of AUTH.

-The ‘Producers-Agrotechnology-Bioeconomy in digital transformation’ event, which is co-organised by TIF-Helexpo and the iBo/CERTH, as well as

-The colloquium organised by TIF-Helexpo and Alegre Growshop on pharmaceutical cannabis, being organised on Friday 21 October in ‘Emilios Riadis’ Hall.

The 29th Agrotica is being held with the support of the Machinery Importers’ – Representatives’ Association (SEAM), the Association of Manufacturers of Agricultural Machinery (EKAGEM), and the Association of Fertiliser Producers and Traders (SPEL), while it has been placed under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Ministry of the Interior (Macedonia Thrace).

The opening of the Trade Fair will be held on Thursday 20 October by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr Giorgos Georgantas.

The opening hours of the exhibition on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday are 10:00 – 19:00, and on Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00, while parking for exhibitors and visitors will be available within the AUTH.

The Press conference

President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tasos Tzikas, characterised the 29th event as truly international and one of the best Agrotica events ever, during today’s Press Conference held in view of the opening of the trade fair.

On his side, the CEO of the exhibition agency Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis underlined that Agrotica is completely sold out, stressing that this exhibition has a lot to give to Thessaloniki, both with regard to quantity and quality.

The members of EKAGEM at the 29th Agrotica have covered an area of 6000m2 according to the Association’s president, Mr Panagiotis Fotiadis, who hoped that the farmers find what they need to help them move forward at this year’s event.

In turn, the president of SEAM Mr Savvas Balouktsis noted that the Association continues to embrace the trade show, as 41 of its members are participating, covering more than 40% of the total available area, specifically, 15,185 m. He also stressed that upgrading agricultural equipment is now a strategic choice. According to Mr Balouktsis, the market has recorded a fall of about 42% in 2022.

The president of SPEL Mr Dimitris Rousseas express his satisfaction on the meeting of all stakeholders of the agrifood sector after two years of the pandemic. He also referred to the challenges the sector is currently facing in the the supply chain and in production, and more specifically to the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The general Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, noted that Agrotica is the largest trade show in Greece from the perspective of combined square metre coverage, exhibitors, and visitors, while he stressed that after the TIF and Beyond, the return of the exhibition agency is now a given.

The head of Agrotica, Mr Vassilis Spyrou, underlined the presence of all fields of the agricultural sector, with particular activity surrounding technology, especially with regards to energy savings.

21/10/2022 – 17:48