Lisbon, Sept. 3, 2026 (Lusa) - The agricultural trade fair AgroSemana begins on Thursday in Póvoa de Varzim, Porto, with a focus on technology, precision and safe production, and is expecting at least 85,000 visitors, according to milk producer, Agros chair Idalino Leão.
«AgroSemana is already a leading name on the national agricultural trade fair scene and a meeting point for those who produce, research, process and consume. The message we want to convey is that the agriculture of the future has already begun. Precision agriculture and precision livestock farming are realities that the sector is already experiencing,» said Leão, chair of Agros and organiser of the event, in comments to Lusa.
Between today and Sunday, at the Agros venue where the event is taking place, visitors will be able to explore machinery, technology and other innovative solutions for the agri-food sector.
There will also be technical sessions, workshops and debates, bringing together representatives from every link in the agri-food chain, as well as an interactive section to demonstrate that farmers produce safe and healthy food.
Idalino Leão pointed out that a large proportion of consumers are unaware of how the food that ends up on their plates is produced, and that the sector has been recognising the need to communicate more effectively.
«It concerns me that the profession and the sector still do not receive the recognition they deserve. Even taking geopolitical issues into account, there is an urgent need to recognise the agri-food sector as a matter of food sovereignty for Portugal and for Europe,» he pointed out.
However, he said that «some light» is beginning to be seen, with Brussels' presentation of a strategy for livestock farming.
Even so, he emphasised that Brussels operates at «a pace all of its own, which is very slow» and that the world, as it seeks to rebalance itself, «is not in step with this state of affairs».
At a national level, he noted that the Minister for Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, is approachable and supports the sector, although he has doubts as to whether this stance extends to the rest of the Government, particularly the ministry of finance.
«A Spanish farmer is able to achieve higher levels of competitiveness because there is a price differential of over €0.20 on agricultural diesel, which adds up to a huge amount of money by the end of the year,» he explained.
AgroSemana, which has been open to the public since 2014, features around 230 stands at this year's event and expects at least 85,000 visitors.
Entry to the event is free until 6.00 pm today, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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