An International Trade Fair hosted in Lushnje for the 3rd time. Why?
March 29, 2024
Join Us at the Energy, Construction, and Green Economy Trade Fair 2024
June 21, 2024Highlights and Insights of the “Agriculture Days 2024” Trade Fair
Epic Achievements: Welcome to the “Agriculture Days 2024” Fair, the premier event in Albanian agriculture. Held in the heart of Albania’s agricultural hub from April 24-26, 2024, this event has firmly established itself as the leading showcase of innovation, business opportunities, and agricultural advancements in the region.
Organized by Iceberg Exhibitions, “Agriculture Days 2024” welcomed 90 exhibitors and 8,000 visitors. With 15 panel forums illuminating the latest trends and innovations, this event was a magnet for those seeking to transform the agricultural landscape.
For the third consecutive year, Lushnja has proven to be the ideal location for hosting this fair. Although a small town, Lushnja extends to 85 villages and the area is home to 77,000 farmers, representing more than half of the total number of farmers in the entire country. The high turnout of farmers over the three days, along with their active participation in forums, discussion panels, presentations, and other sector-specific activities, underscores the strategic significance of choosing Lushnja as the venue for this event.
This prestigious event was backed by leading institutions and companies such as the Platinum Partners: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Municipality of Lushnja and our digital partner for the third year Vodafone Albania; Gold Partners: GIZ Albania with the SRD project and Lufra; Silver Partners: Helvetas with Risi Albania, MBM Albania, Agrimatco Albania, Austria Praemix, Koja, Agrocon, INDA and NOA.
Showcase of Government and Industry Collaboration
The fair kicked off with an opening ceremony, graced by industry leaders, government officials, ambassadors, exhibitors, and distinguished guests. Ms. Enejda Sheku, CEO of Iceberg Communication and Exhibitions, set the stage with a powerful welcome speech, outlining the event’s objectives and highlights.
She stated: “At Iceberg, organizing this event is more than just a project—it’s a PASSION PROJECT. With 25 years of market experience and numerous collaborations on innovative projects, we decided three years ago to create and implement an initiative that would significantly impact the crucial agriculture sector. Contributing 20% to our country’s gross domestic product, agriculture and livestock are indeed the pillars of life. Our objective is to transform this annual fair into the premier communication platform for the agricultural sector. We aim to foster new partnerships and collaborations among participating businesses and institutions, while sharing essential awareness and information campaigns for the industry”.
Esteemed figures such as Albania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms. Anila Denaj; Kosovo’s Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Faton Peci; Swiss Ambassador to Albania, Ms. Ruth Huber; Head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Albania, Znj. Ekaterina Solovova; and the Mayor of Lushnja, Mrs. Eriselda Sefa, extended their greetings for the fair on behalf of their respective institutions.
The ceremony was graced by several distinguished personalities, including Mr. Khaled Al Sulahiti from the Embassy of the State of Qatar, H.E. Mr. Tayyar Kağan Atay from the Turkish Embassy, Vice Ambassador Philipp Arnold from the Embassy of Switzerland, H.E. Mrs. Hana A.S. Shawa from the Embassy of Palestine, Acting Deputy Mischere Kawas from the American Embassy, H.E. Mr. Faisal Ghazi Ismail Hifzi from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, and Economic Counselor Mrs. Zheng Zhenling from the Chinese Embassy, among others.
The third day of the fair reached a crescendo with the visit of Albania’s President, Mr. Bajram Begaj, underscoring the event’s monumental importance to the nation’s economy. His presence, along with a tour of the exhibition area and meetings with key stakeholders, generated substantial media buzz, further amplifying the fair’s prominence.
A Showcase of Diverse National and International Exhibitors and Visitors
The fair features 90 exhibitors from various cities across Albania, including municipalities such as Konispol, Saranda, Vlora, Roskovec, Maliqi, Dimal, Malësi e Madhe, and Dibra. These areas are represented by producers of agricultural and livestock products. Additionally, the hall hosts companies from Kosovo, Montenegro, Italy, Spain, and more. Over the next few days, we are expecting visitors from the region and from countries like Germany and Switzerland, who have confirmed their attendance for business meetings.
The fair was a hotspot for international business engagement, with global titans like Bioma, Geolife, and the German powerhouse Prohmex seizing the opportunity to delve into the Albanian market. These industry leaders engaged in numerous business meetings and forged pivotal partnerships, recognizing Albania as a burgeoning hub of international business and innovation. Their participation illuminated the vast potential and collaborative opportunities within the Albanian agricultural sector
. Mr. Salvatore Terranova, Global Sales Director of Bioma stated that: “First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the organisers for their warm welcome, kindness, flawless organization, and the fantastic meetings they arranged for us. The “Agriculture Days 2024” was an exceptional experience, and the attention to detail and professionalism were evident throughout the event. I am optimistic that our participation in this fair has paved the way for future visits to Albania, as it would signify the development of projects that bring economic, ecological, and human wealth to the region. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate further and contribute to the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector in Albania”.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we bask in the afterglow of the “Agriculture Days 2024,” we eagerly anticipate the next edition. Mark your calendars for April 2025, when we will once again gather for what promises to be an even more spectacular showcase of agricultural excellence and business prowess. This is not just an event; it is the dawn of a new era for Albanian agriculture!
