45th Plum Fair in Gradačac Concluded

GRADAČAC, (Patria) - The 45th International Fair of Agriculture and Food Industry – Plum Fair in Gradačac concluded today, featuring exhibitors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the countries of the region. Around 320 exhibitors presented their products and services in 5,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space. Exhibits from some of the most significant producers and processors of agricultural products were displayed, and numerous organizations and institutions supporting and promoting this economic sector were represented.

- Judging by the reactions of exhibitors, officials, and visitors, this year's fair was one of the best organized and most numerous in terms of participants. We are very satisfied with the exhibitors' presentations, and farmers had the opportunity to learn some of the most important information and recommendations for successful farming, primarily greenhouse production of flowers and vegetables, and dried plums as a recognizable brand in the market. A series of round tables, collective exhibitions, and presentations of programs in the field of agriculture and business were held. I thank the patron, the Government of Tuzla Canton, our sponsors, and partners, without whose help this traditional event could not have been so well organized, said the director of the Gradačac Fair, Hašim Šabanović.

The general sponsor of the 45th Plum Fair is the Ministry of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, and the minister, Muharem Šabić, emphasized that they offered themselves for sponsorship.

- We would like to see as many domestic organic products as possible on the shelves of large shopping centers and markets. Therefore, in the coming years, we will support this fair more seriously, said the Minister of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, Muharem Šabić.

The partner of this year's fair was the City of Zagreb, which was represented in Gradačac by its 11 exhibitors, members of the Chamber of Crafts.

- I think Zagreb is an ideal market for producers from these regions. We all love domestic products, and in Croatia, we consider what is produced in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a domestic product as well, said the head of the Office for Economy and Energy of the City of Zagreb, Mirka Jozić.

This year, the Gradačac Fair medals for the quality of exhibited products and for the best brandies and strong alcoholic beverages were awarded. A novelty was the holding of the 1st International Beekeeping Fair, organized by the Beekeepers Association Pčela Gradačac. 88 quality medals were awarded for assessed honey. In cooperation with the Faculty of Technology in Tuzla, a professional consultation for beekeepers was also held.

In memory of the doyens in the field of fruit growing, Prof. Dr. Dževada Jarebica, and Dipl. Ing. Senad Malohodžić, a journalist and publicist, a promotion of the book Plums and Plum Products was held.

The traditional 45th International Fair of Agriculture and Food Industry – Plum Fair was opened by the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Valentin Inzko, and alongside him, the state secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia, Tugomir Majdak, and the Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton, Jakub Suljkanović, cut the ceremonial ribbon.