Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas and State Secretary for Food Chain Control Supervision and Agricultural Administration Endre Kardeván both attended one of the most important international agricultural trade fairs held in Moscow. Hungary was represented by its own national pavilion and by thirteen companies. During the exhibition, Sándor Fazekas will hold talks with the Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

2100 exhibitors from 55 countries are attending the event; food producers, processors, distributors and retail chains present their various products. Hungary is also present at the Prodexpo with a 156 square metre pavilion. The wide spectrum of wares exhibited by Hungarian producers includes Tokaji wine, fresh and canned mushrooms, peas and beans, as well as duck and goose products.

At the official opening ceremony of the exhibition, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Solovjov told those present: the intensive development of Russian agriculture and its consumer interest in high quality foods is demonstrated by the fact that more exhibitors than ever before are attending the time-honoured Prodexpo trade fair.

In an interview to representatives of the Russian press, State Secretary Endre Kardeván emphasised: Russia has always been an important market for Hungarian agricultural exports. Cooperation reached its peak in the 90s, but we continue to support the uninterrupted presence of high quality, premium category Hungarian products traditionally present on the Russian market, and the reinforcement of the image of "Hungarian goods – Hungarian quality". Endre Kardeván also noted that within the field of foreign trade with Russia, exports of meat and meat products, dairy products, grain and oil-seeds have recently increased significantly. The State Secretary explained that one important goal is the development of Hungarian-Russian cooperation in production and manufacturing.

Minister Sándor Fazekas is also attending the event, and will be holding talks with Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Solovjov, as well as with the Deputy Director of Rosszelkhoznadzor, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, and the Import Director of the Magnit supermarket chain.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)