Prishtina, May 27, 2025
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Acting Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, attended the opening of the 25th edition of the AGROKOS & Agritourism 2025 Fair, held at the “1 Tetori” Sports Hall.
Recognizing the fair’s importance for both the agricultural sector and rural development in Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti stated that this annual event brings together representatives of agricultural producers, fruit and livestock product processors, agricultural machinery companies, artisanal beverages, packaging and standardization enterprises – as well as agritourism, a sector that is becoming a new asset for our country.
In his opening remarks, he noted that over the last three years, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development, and with the work of the highly successful Minister Faton Peci, has taken significant steps to strengthen this vital sector.
“For the first time, 300 million euros have been allocated to 120,000 farmers through grants and subsidies, with wheat support increased by 275%, and organic farming by 500%,” said the Prime Minister, adding that irrigation systems for over 11,000 hectares have been rehabilitated and arable agricultural land has increased by 50% in just four years – from around 80,000 hectares to over 120,000 hectares.
He also emphasized the decrease in imports and the growth of exports: since 2019, the export of tomatoes, vegetables, and preserved produce has multiplied. Regarding livestock farming, he noted that over 13 million euros have been invested in the construction of 93 new barns, the addition of more than 2,000 heads of cattle, and the purchase of dozens of tractors.
The Prime Minister said that these are not just statistics – they are evidence that Kosovo is building a modern, fair, and sustainable agriculture. “Today, more than ever, agriculture is not a sector of the past, but of our economic future. On this journey, partnership with you – farmers, agribusinesses, investors, and development organizations – is the key to our shared success,” he stated.
The Prime Minister wished the organizers and participants a successful fair, hoping it would yield many fruitful collaborations.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Dear organizers, Mr. Bekim Xhafa and Ms. Albona Demaku,
Congratulations on this 25th anniversary – a jubilee that celebrates your tireless and relentless work, which is of immense value not only to the business community and the economy, but also to our broader social emancipation, economic development, and overall progress.
Dear Minister Rozeta Hajdari, from the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade,
Honorable Acting Director of KIESA, Mr. Zef Dedaj,
Dear farmers, agribusinesses, institutional representatives,
Local and international guests,
Today, it is our pleasure to open a highly important event for the agricultural sector and rural development in Kosovo – the AGROKOS & Agritourism 2025 Fair.
This annual event brings together producers of agricultural crops, fruit and livestock product processors, companies in agricultural machinery, artisanal beverages, packaging and standardization – as well as agritourism, a sector that is increasingly becoming a new asset for our country.
Over the past three years, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, and under the leadership of the highly successful Minister Faton Peci, has taken important steps to strengthen this vital sector.
For the first time, 300 million euros have been allocated for 120,000 farmers through grants and subsidies, with support for wheat increasing by 275%, and for organic farming by 500%.
Irrigation systems have been rehabilitated for over 11,000 hectares, and the amount of arable agricultural land has increased by 50% in just four years – from around 80,000 hectares to more than 120,000 hectares.
The reduction of imports and the increase in exports speaks volumes: since 2019, exports of tomatoes, vegetables, and preserved produce have multiplied. Domestic production and the competitiveness of our products in foreign markets have improved significantly.
In the livestock sector, more than 13 million euros have been invested in the construction of 93 new barns, the addition of over 2,000 heads of cattle, and the purchase of dozens of tractors.
Digitalization, transparency, and the fight against corruption have also been priorities at every step – from animal registration to forest monitoring with drones, cameras, and GPS.
For the first time, properties worth millions of euros that were previously illegally expropriated have been returned to state ownership. We have restored trust in the rule of law, in justice, and in the protection of public assets. Every year, 30,000 farmers are direct beneficiaries and witnesses of the Ministry’s and the Government’s commitment.
Dear attendees,
All these are not just statistics – they are proof that Kosovo is working toward a modern, fair, and sustainable agriculture.
Today, more than ever, agriculture is not a sector of the past, but a pillar of our economic future.
On this journey, our partnership with you – the farmers, agribusinesses, investors, and development organizations – is the key to our shared success.
Thank you for your trust and your work. Congratulations on the opening of the fair, and I wish you ever greater success through the collaborations that will emerge from here!
Thank you!
