If this Government had been elected earlier, they would have entered the EU before Croatia

The 80th international agricultural fair, featuring over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 60 countries, with Croatia as the partner country, was opened on Saturday in Novi Sad.

In his opening remarks, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić emphasized that the Serbian government is working on an agricultural development strategy that is expected to be adopted by the end of the year, aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.

Dačić congratulated Croatia, this year’s partner country of the Novi Sad fair, on its accession to the European Union. – Croatia is entering the EU and I congratulate them on that … I regret that (this Serbian) government was not elected a bit earlier, as we would have entered before them – said Dačić. The opening was also attended by Croatian Minister of Agriculture Tihomir Jakovina, who highlighted that this is one of the most respected fairs, as recognized by Croatian entrepreneurs who traditionally exhibit there.

He emphasized the excellent cooperation between Croatian and Serbian entrepreneurs and expressed satisfaction that Croatia is the partner country. Dačić stated that Serbia is far from being a major giant in agricultural production, but agriculture is an opportunity and a chance, as working on agricultural development means initiating the development of the entire country.

Serbian Minister of Agriculture Goran Knežević stated that Serbian agriculture has much to show, and this fair is an opportunity to exchange offers and demands, experiences, and knowledge in one place. Agriculture in Serbia contributed 11 percent to GDP in the previous decade, and if the food industry is added, it exceeds 20 percent. It accounts for 23 percent of total exports, seven percent of imports, and achieves a foreign trade surplus in agricultural and food products of 1.2 billion dollars.

At the fair, organized by the Osijek County Chamber of Commerce, around 20 Croatian producers of agricultural and food products and equipment are presenting, with Agrokor, Vetropack Straža, and Petrokemija exhibiting independently. The Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, is organizing a national presentation of Croatia, promoting and tasting the most significant products from four Croatian regions – Slavonia, Central Croatia, Istria, and Dalmatia, and for the first time, the joint project of HGK and the Ministry of Agriculture ‘Vina Croatia – Vina Mosaica’ will be presented at the Novi Sad fair.

During the fair, a series of conferences, presentations, and lectures related to regional cooperation in agriculture, the food industry, and trade will be held. Among the most significant events is the business conference ‘Food – what connects us also unites us,’ which will take place today, the first day of the fair, organized by the ministries of agriculture of Croatia and Serbia, HGK, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The goal of the conference is to present leading companies from Croatia and Serbia, whose executives will discuss possible ways to enhance cooperation in agriculture and the food industry in the context of Croatia’s upcoming entry into the EU.

Panelists will include executives from Agrokor, Atlantic Group, Podravka, MK Group, Nectar, Victoria Group, etc. The Novi Sad Agricultural Fair will run until May 24 and represents one of the largest agribusiness events in Serbia, as well as one of the top five fairs in Europe. The fair will gather the most significant individuals, associations, and companies in the field of agribusiness.