The XLI Edition of Expovicaman, the Agricultural and Livestock Fair of Castilla-La Mancha, opened its doors this Wednesday at the Albacete Fairground with 206 exhibitors compared to 183 from the previous year, aiming to surpass the 100,000 visitors from the last edition.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Fairground esplanade, was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development, Julián Martínez Lizán; the President of the Albacete County Council, Santiago Cabañero; and the Mayor of Albacete, Manuel Serrano, among others.
Lizán reaffirmed the regional government’s support for Expovicam and FIQAB (International Cheese Fair of Albacete), stating that it is reflected in the financial contribution regularly made and in the institutional stand at the Albacete Fairground, where Campo y Alma, the brand representing the quality of our agri-food products, is once again present to showcase the greatness of the agri-food productions in Castilla-La Mancha. Currently, we have 41 designation of origin labels that represent top quality.
Additionally, the Campo y Alma stand will feature a significant program of activities including tastings, presentations, showcookings, and food sampling from Castilla-La Mancha.
In this regard, the minister emphasized the importance of «all institutions working together to support something as crucial for our land as agriculture and livestock, especially when we are talking about one of the oldest agricultural and livestock fairs in the entire region, undoubtedly with this 41st edition.»
«Expovicaman is possibly the first fair in the entire national agricultural and livestock sector, something we must continue working on to make it even more significant on a national scale.» Regarding FIQAB, Julián Martínez Lizán stated that it «exemplifies well the strong commitment we are making to the agri-food sector of the region, which already accounts for 18 percent of our GDP, and to high-quality and prestigious products such as wine and Manchego cheese.»
THIS EDITION WILL EXCEED ALL EXPECTATIONS
On the other hand, the President of the Albacete County Council, Santi Cabañero, expressed confidence that this new edition will exceed all expectations. «This fair is an example of many things: coordination between administrations, collaboration in difficult times, and, above all, sector involvement,» he noted, emphasizing that «without the professionals in the field, those who breed, cultivate, produce, and transform, this event would not make sense.»
The President of the County Council recalled that this year, the fair has once again grown in size and participation, with over 200 exhibitors, nearly 40 more than the previous edition. «This is because it is a significant fair, one that generates business, real opportunities for those who make it happen,» he emphasized.
He also highlighted that this is not just a platform for «doing business» but also a space «for sharing knowledge and connecting professionals with the latest innovations in machinery, water management, plant health, and agri-food transformation.»
In conclusion, Expovicaman is, according to Cabañero, «a tribute to those who make food possible on our tables, even in difficult times. The countryside always resists, always rises. We saw it during the pandemic, we saw it during the last blackout: when everything stops, farmers are the ones who never fail.»
«THE BEST AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK FAIR IN SPAIN»
Meanwhile, the Mayor of the city, Manuel Serrano, invited everyone to enjoy the great attractions that the XLI edition of Expovicaman, «the best agricultural and livestock fair in Spain,» offers until this Sunday at the Fairground and the Ejidos, in perfect harmony with the International Cheese Fair of Albacete, Fiqab, and the Horse Show, confident that it will once again be a success in terms of organization and attendance, aiming to exceed the 100,000 visitors from the previous edition.
According to the mayor, «Expovicaman is a great collective achievement and a source of pride for all the people of Albacete,» as well as «a fair of identity, of our origins, of our farmers and livestock breeders, of our agri-food industry, of our supply companies, machinery, and services to the primary sector,» highlighting the importance of celebrating it at the Fairground and the Ejidos for the second year in a row to evoke our fair, agricultural, and livestock origins.
In this sense, Manuel Serrano noted that «we suggested returning in the past, and now we are here to stay,» pointing out that «we have recovered the celebration of Expovicaman and returned it to its origins, to our September Fair, which emerged as an agricultural and livestock fair.»
A fair aimed at professionals in the sector but also for the general public, with attractions for all ages who share «love and respect for our own, for our countryside, which is part of our history and the DNA of the city.»
Manuel Serrano mentioned that Expovicaman, in its XLI edition, will be «more ambitious,» explaining that, due to the «resounding success» of the last edition, its duration has been extended by one day, allowing visitors to enjoy its intense program for five days, «almost half of the Albacete Fair,» noting that its celebration involves nearly a million in investment «which we hope will multiply and generate business to give a future to our land, our city, province, and region.»
The mayor pointed out that «Expovicaman returns to the same place with new ideas, more professional participation, and the same spirit: that of a land that does not settle, that grows in its potential, and knows that its agriculture and livestock are engines of development and symbols of identity.»
Manuel Serrano added that Expovicaman has also increased the number of participating exhibitors to 206, compared to 183 from the previous year, and doubled the number of cheese dairies participating in the International Cheese Fair of Albacete, Fiqab, with wine tastings from the region and the presence of designations of origin for Manchego lamb, saffron, walnuts, olive oil, and honey.
The mayor assured that Expovicaman will also feature the best sheep and goat livestock thanks to Agrama, the best Horse Show by Asocaman-Pre, which will also host, as a novelty, the Para-Equestrian League to bring the world of horses closer to people with disabilities, as well as the best machinery and products that can be directly viewed by professionals.
Manuel Serrano mentioned that another innovation will be the Asprona Bullfight, which will take place at the Bullring on the 10th of this month within the framework of Expovicaman, not forgetting the children’s activities aimed at instilling love and respect for the countryside among the younger generations.
In this regard, the mayor explained that there will be a pedal tractor competition, a wool workshop, a cheese-making workshop, the exhibition ‘A Journey Through Time,’ as well as the children’s play areas ‘Little Farmers.’
FUENTE