57th AGRO – International Agriculture, Livestock and Food Fair Highlights Key Features of the 2025 Edition

The press conference for the 57th edition of AGRO – International Agriculture, Livestock and Food Fair – was held this morning at Forum Braga, unveiling the main highlights of one of the most relevant events in the sector, both nationally and at a European level. With a strengthened programme and a clear vision for the role of agriculture in the future, the fair will take place from April 3 to 6 and will feature around 230 exhibitors and over 331 represented brands.

Certified by UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry – and integrated into the prestigious EURASCO network, AGRO is firmly established as an internationally recognised fair, built on standards of quality and professionalism. However, the event goes beyond its professional component, opening its doors to families with dedicated areas for household goods, food, traditional sweets from Minho and across the country, as well as leisure and social areas.

One of the major highlights of this edition will be the strong presence of showcookings, making a prominent return in a central and immersive space at the venue. These sessions will promote products, partner entities, and exhibitors. Over the four days of the event, there will be 30 showcooking moments promoted by 22 entities, including municipalities, vocational schools, and companies from the sector, with the collaboration of students from Profitecla Vocational School and Braga Vocational School. The programme will also include wine pairings promoted by partner Cavagri and relaxed networking moments, with the introduction of a “happy hour” – a new feature of this edition – taking place on Friday at 6:00 p.m. in the showcooking area, exclusively dedicated to exhibitors and partners.

According to Sandra Vaz, Commercial Director of InvestBraga, “AGRO’s showcookings are much more than gastronomic moments — they are a living showcase of the quality and diversity of our products and producers. By placing them at the heart of the fair, we give stage to tradition, innovation, and the creativity of our partners, engaging schools, chefs, and local organisations in a dynamic that elevates the entire food sector.”

Also designed for families, the fair will once again feature the Pedagogical Farm of Braga as a partner, offering more than 20 fun and educational activities. Highlights include insect hotel building, medallion workshops, and horse baptisms with the mare Ginja. These activities aim to provide children and their families with a participatory and enriching experience, reinforcing the inclusive dimension of AGRO.

Seminars will once again play a key role in the fair’s programme, with around 20 sessions hosted by 15 entities focusing on the future of the sector, agricultural funding, and innovation. Topics to be discussed include rabbit farming, precision agriculture, forest competitiveness, animal conversion and improvement programmes, the future of livestock, and regenerative agriculture. Participation in the seminars grants free entry to the fair, strengthening AGRO’s educational mission and promoting access to knowledge.

“The thematic diversity of this edition allows participants to access up-to-date, innovative, and technically valuable content, reinforcing the fair's role as a platform for professional development and knowledge-sharing,” stated Henrique Martins, Head of Fairs, Congresses and Events at Forum Braga.

The competition area will introduce important novelties, such as the 1st Inter-School Holstein Friesian Breed Competition, involving students from vocational schools in Ponte de Lima, Silva Nunes, Marco de Canaveses, and Vagos. These students will not only compete with cattle from their schools but will also ensure the daily care of the animals on display at the fair in rotating shifts, contributing to animal welfare. The 1st Inter-School and Holstein Friesian Handlers and Groomers Competition will also be held, where students will demonstrate their skills in the main arena, in a contest that blends education, teamwork, and responsibility.

Animal welfare at AGRO is not merely a priority — it is a shared responsibility. “The collaboration with agricultural schools ensures the animals on display receive 24/7 care in a pedagogical and high-quality environment, where students apply their knowledge and develop essential skills for the future of the sector,” emphasised José Olímpio, Operations Director at InvestBraga.

The cattle area will host around 50 animals, including 15 to 20 Holstein Friesian cows, which will be milked live. Visitors will be able to observe the milk collection process, which will later be sent to the AGROS partner processing unit. This area will serve as a true living lab for learning and a showcase of the importance of the primary sector and vocational schools in training new professionals.

To further value exhibitors, this year will feature a new “Best Stand” competition, split into two categories – indoor pavilion and outdoor area – rewarding creativity, innovation, and quality in the presentation of exhibition spaces. The initiative aims to foster a more appealing and professional image of the fair, encouraging participants to invest in distinctive and well-integrated structures.

In the DOP restaurants, visitors will be able to taste beef from six Portuguese cattle breeds with Protected Designation of Origin: Arouquesa, Barrosã, Marinhoa, Maronesa, Minhota, and Mirandesa – a true invitation to discover the country’s authentic flavours.

AGRO’s solidarity aspect will also be reinforced through the “AMA Ukraine” campaign, integrated into the event. The campaign will collect food for Ukraine, involving schools and visitors and appealing to a spirit of solidarity. Organised by InvestBraga in partnership with the Luso-Ukrainian Association, the initiative supports the Ukrainian people in response to the severe humanitarian crisis caused by the criminal and terrorist war of aggression. The first edition in 2024 mobilised several public and private entities and enabled the dispatch of a TIR truck loaded mainly with non-perishable food. The success of the previous campaign and, above all, the urgent need to meet ongoing requests for help motivated its continuation in 2025. The goods collection will take place throughout March and during the fair itself, with the peak collection days being those of the event. Accepted donations include non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies, medicines, and first aid materials. Clothing will not be accepted.

Media coverage of AGRO will be provided by TV Agro and Antena Minho network, which will broadcast the event’s main moments. TV Agro will strengthen its role as a key dissemination platform, focusing especially on livestock and native breed competitions, seminars, tasting sessions, and showcookings. Radio Antena Minho will run a special broadcast throughout the four days, including live coverage, interviews, and reports, bringing the event closer to the general public and increasing its visibility.

To facilitate access to the venue, visitors may use the Minho Center and E.Leclerc car parks, with shuttle buses operating every 10 minutes. On April 5 and 6, the AGRO weekend, Braga Urban Transport will provide special lines from these locations. Visitors presenting their bus ticket at the entrance will receive a 50% discount on admission.

“We are showcasing the best our region has to offer, involving agriculture through its excellence and highlighting the role of agricultural training schools. This sector has undeniable strength in our territory, and AGRO is the ideal stage to showcase it,” said Carlos Silva, Executive Administrator at InvestBraga.

The 57th edition of AGRO will thus be a fair of agriculture and for agriculture — for professionals, the general public, families, and young students. A space where tradition meets innovation, knowledge merges with experience, in a true celebration of rurality and the future of the sector.

Opening Hours:

• April 3, 2025 – from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

• April 4, 2025 – from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

• April 5, 2025 – from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

• April 6, 2025 – from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tickets: Available at Forum Braga ticket offices or online at:
https://blueticket.meo.pt/pt/event/13520/agro-feira-internacional-de-agricultura-pecuaria-e-alimentacao

Admission is free for children up to 10 years old and costs €3.50 per day from the age of 11.

Full programme and additional information available at:
www.forumbraga.com/Feiras/Agro