Large-scale. Vibrant. Future-oriented

The Belarusian Agro-Industrial Week took place at the BelExpo International Exhibition Centre in Minsk, featuring the 35th Belagro–2025 international specialised exhibition, Belfarm, Belproduct and Prodmash. Kholod. Upak trade fairs with expositions, demonstrations, competitions, conferences and seminars. Covering almost 39,000 square metres of total exhibition space, with more than 545 companies from 21 countries, the forum provided many interesting and memorable insights. Traditionally, it was not just a platform for showcasing achievements, but also a unique opportunity to exchange experiences, establish new business contacts and strengthen existing relationships. More than 200,000 people became guests of the forum.

Moving forward

The Belarusian Agro-Industrial Week is a significant forum, which traditionally hosts a series of business meetings and conferences on food security, the development of animal husbandry, breeding programmes and other areas, as noted by Yuri Shuleiko, Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister, during the opening ceremony of the forum, “Year after year, agricultural production is growing, we are increasing volumes, developing markets, and food production is making a tangible contribution to the country’s coffers. Last year, exports of food and agricultural products from Belarus amounted to $8.5bn. This year, we expect it to be no less than $9bn. In this regard, Belagro should become the foundation for future work in this area.”
This year, the outdoor exhibition areas were significantly expanded so that participants could present their developments in full. Particular attention was paid to the presentation of the agricultural potential of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation member states, which participated under the single Agro-SCO emblem. The forum also served as a platform for discussing food security issues and exchanging experiences between countries.

Time for premieres

The exhibition traditionally covered all key areas of modern agriculture: from crop production and animal husbandry to innovative technologies for processing, storing and selling produce. Visitors were able to explore advanced solutions in agricultural machinery, energy-saving technologies and equipment, presented within a unified technological chain.
The open-air area near the exhibition centre garnered particular attention from visitors. Manufacturers showcased their latest products here. Thus, Minsk Tractor Works [MTZ trademark] and other enterprises of the MTW-HOLDING presented around 20 units of machinery. Incidentally, it was at this agricultural forum that the agricultural machinery manufacturer unveiled the world’s most powerful tractor with a classic layout. The giant’s name is BELARUS 5425. Under the bonnet is a Weichai diesel engine with a power output of 542 horsepower. The gearbox is hydromechanical, allowing gear changes without interrupting the power flow. The lifting capacity of the front-mounted implement is 5.5 tonnes, and the rear-mounted implement — 17 tonnes. The new model features programmable functions, enabling the power unit to be aggregated with a large number of modern high-performance agricultural machines.
Gomselmash — another leading agricultural machinery manufacturer in Belarus — also arrived at Belagro with premieres. At the company’s stand, visitors were able to see the GS2124 super combine harvester and a high-performance forage harvester with a 650-horsepower engine. The CS140 self-propelled mower and the MS450 multi-purpose mobile machine were unveiled to a wide audience for the first time.
There is tremendous interest in Gomselmash machinery — both from traditional partners and new customers from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Botswana, Mongolia, Iran and Pakistan. Belagro traditionally becomes a platform for establishing business contacts, concluding contracts and attracting new partners. Some models went straight to customers after the exhibition.
One of the major exposition blocks belonged to Belagroservice republican association. It presented machinery and developments from 25 specialised enterprises. Agricultural enterprises showed interest in the new feed pusher and assessed it during the exhibition. A wide range of spare parts for agricultural machinery — tillage, harvesting and other machinery — was on display.
Specialists from the Fruit Growing Institute brought both time-tested crops and the latest scientific developments to Belagro–2025. A particular point of pride is the Arkady hazelnut variety. Today, it is one of the best varieties bred in our country. The scientific institution is also actively developing the direction of plant micropropagation. Planting material for more than 20 crops, including fruit, ornamental, technical and rare species, was exhibited in test tubes. It is worth noting that the institute is engaged not only in traditional Belarusian crops. For example, it produces blueberries for Georgia, propagates hops, and also works with walnuts. The latter has been introduced into cultivation by the institute, and this is a considerable achievement — not every country manages to implement this at a scientific level.

  

Best Breeding Horse competition      Kristina Fanchenko               Product tasting       Yelizaveta Kobetskaya 

Best of the best

Belagro is always vibrant, atmospheric and festive. The number of visitors to the exhibition grows every year and includes not just specialists for whom it is of professional interest. Over five days, visitors and participants were able to familiarise themselves with the latest achievements in animal husbandry, crop production, agricultural product processing, and of course, to sample the famous Belarusian dairy products, fish and meat — presentations and product tastings, sales fairs, exhibitions and competitions were prepared for visitors.
Perhaps the two most spectacular events were the republican competitions: Best Ploughman and Best Breeding Horse. The latter was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the registration of the Belarusian Harness breed.
In addition, the exhibition programme included demonstration shows of breeding goats and sheep, and tastings of processed milk products from these animals.
At the exhibition, visitors had a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Belarusian countryside, get acquainted with traditions and culture, and taste delicious locally produced products. There are over 1,400 agro-eco-estates in the country. The twelve best ones from all regions of the republic presented their capabilities. Each farmstead prepared a captivating programme for guests.

Belagro is an exhibition of achievements, but also a place where strategic decisions are formed, market orientations are clarified, and real, vibrant interaction takes place between producers, buyers and competitors.

By Galina Zhukova, Sergei Grudnitsky