"The goods showcases at the five-day 76th National Agricultural and Food Industry Exhibition and Fair (OMÉK) clearly show that both the qualitative and quantitative range of Hungarian foods and agricultural products has developed significantly during the past two years", Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas declared on Sunday at the event in Kőbánya, eastern Budapest.

According to Minister Fazekas, qualitative improvements are represented by the fact that the foods on show at the fair taste wonderful, are presented in appealing packaging, and their route from farmland to table is evident. The OMÉK Fair, which closed on Sunday, attracted great interest from both the agricultural profession and visitors. Almost 100 thousand people viewed the exhibition and the professional events were also attended by many participants, the Minister said.

Sándor Fazekas presented OMÉK Awards on the last day of the Fair. The Ministerial Grand Prix was awarded to the Lázár Equestrian Park for their Favory XXVII-11 Lipizzaner stallion. The 14-year-old stallion has been in training at the Park since 2003 and has achieved great success since 2007 in both tandem and four-in-hand carriage driving trials.

This years' OMÉK People's Choice Awards were presented to Debrecen Csoport Ltd. for their new, origin-protected, beech-smoked Csaba thick sausage and to Kocsics Manufaktúra Ltd. their strawberry striped jam with lemongrass and lavender.

This year, 939 gardens in 60 settlements applied to participate in the Hungary's Most Beautiful Kitchen Garden programme. 67 gardens from 35 settlements were entered in the national competition, of which 24 received certificated from Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas and the woman behind the programme, Deputy Mayor of Karcag Szilvia Kovács, on Sunday.

The most popular wine-growing settlement in Hungary this year was Hajós, receiving the "Toast - most Popular Wine Region Settlement in Hungary 2013" award from Minister Fazekas. The Minister also presented a certificate to schoolgirl Panna Reinhardt, who submitted the winning drawing in the competition to find a logo for the High Quality Pork trademark.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development / MTI)