Stanislav Kazarin, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg, read out the welcoming address to the participants from Aleksander Beglov, Governor of the city.

«The Exhibition «Agrorus» is one of the brightest events in the business life of St. Petersburg. The Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin stressed that agriculture is developing at a high pace. The products of domestic manufacturers are supplied to 130 countries worldwide.

St. Petersburg significantly contributes to developing agriculture. The processing industry actively develops in the city, and manufacturing high-quality food products grows. In the Northern Capital, agricultural science takes a leading position. Over 30 thousand citizens are engaged in the industry», wrote Beglov.

Oleg Malashchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Leningrad Region and Chairman of the Committee for the Agroindustrial and Fishery Complex of the Leningrad Region, noted that in 2023, in Region 47, amounts of agricultural production increased by 30 billion rubles and reached 410 billion rubles.

«Today, the food processing industry of the Leningrad Region fills niches to be previously occupied by imported food products. We have learned making both Spanish jamon and French cheese. Moreover, quality often surpasses that of foreign originals», stated Malashchenko.

Vadim Katenev, President of the Union «St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry», noted that the Exhibition «Agrorus» convincingly proves our victory in the battle for harvest. He also expressed his confidence that it is not the Russians who should produce French cheese, but the French who should produce Russian cheese.

To which Aleksey Kolchik, Director of the St. Petersburg Regional Branch of Rosselkhozbank JSC, noted that in Volosovsky District of the Leningrad Region, there is already a Frenchman engaged in producing Russian cheeses. On August 29 and 30, he will present his achievements at the Exhibition «Agrorus».

Kolchik also noted that the Exhibition’s task is emergence of new names, implementation of agreements and contracts.

«At the venue of «Agrorus», the best professionals of the industry gathered. Each of the participants in the Exhibition invaluably contributes to developing the domestic agroindustrial complex», said Oleg Emtsev, Head of the North-Western Interregional Rosselkhoznadzor Administration.

In conclusion, Sergey Voronkov, General Director of EXPOFORUM International, made his speech.

«Agrorus» has all the necessary conditions for contacts to develop into contracts, and communication – into positive impressions. The largest Business Contact Center is open for representatives of small- and medium-sized businesses, where leading retail chains, hotels, restaurants and cafes wait for new suppliers. There are over 100 customers in total.

This year EXPOFORUM celebrates 10 years. I can say that over the years, the agroindustrial sector has come so far where the country could not have come for decades before. Most of the imports have been substituted, and leadership positions in the export of products have been taken. At present, agriculture is a driver of the country’s economic development», said Voronkov.

The 33rd International Agroindustrial Exhibition «Agrorus 2024» takes place in Pavilion F, on August 28–30. It is participated by over 100 companies from 30 regions of Russia and 5 foreign countries. The Congress program includes over 30 events.

Simultaneously with the Exhibition, from August 28 to September 8, the Fair of Farm Products «Agrorus» takes place in the parking lot in front of Pavilion H. And the Leningrad Region Farmers’ Fair will last until September 1.

On the event days, free shuttle buses run from the Moskovskaya Metro Station to EXPOFORUM.