About the complex

Cutting grass and making hay, making brandy and wine, picking vegetables from the beds and cooking canned food – and other tourist attractions of Montenegrin villages discovered at the 1st International Forum “Rural tourism as a vector of socio-economic development of territories”, held as part of Agrorus-2023 exhibition at EXPOFORUM.

The Montenegrin resort of Herceg Novi and St. Petersburg officially became friends in 2018, when they signed an agreement on the development of cooperation in the field of tourism. Since then, both cities have been working closely together to develop the tourism potential. At the international forum on rural tourism, Montenegrins presented the potential of agritourism development and shared the challenges they face.

Presenting the coastal resort town, Development and Promotion Manager of the Herceg Novi Tourist Organization Dalibar Vukovic said that the development of rural tourism allows diversifying beach holidays and introducing tourists to local traditions and farmers’ products. To promote these values, the city hosts an annual Mimosa Festival. It lasts for 21 days. During this period there are masquerades, performances of majorettes, tasting of Montenegrin Vranac wine, local beer and small fish girice fried in flour.

At the same time, according to Dalibar Vukovic, the development of rural tourism will help reduce urbanization and the outflow of young professionals to big cities. This area can be driven by the development of tourism infrastructure, namely the construction of hotels and compensation of costs for the production of farm products on private farms.

Director of the Montenegro Cerro Cora National Park Vladimir Martinovic noted that when designing tourist routes, park staff are focusing on the planned promotion and support of local businesses in terms of recreation and catering, assistance in harvesting and familiarizing tourists with farm production.

“Hospitality of rural families is woven into the fabric of our nation. Rural tourism keeps our traditions and customs since ancient times. Therefore, we invite Russian business for cooperation, and tourists – to come on vacation,” said the representative of tourist organizations of Montenegro Maxim Brajovic.

From August 30 to September 1, the Regional Forum of the Council of Young Scientists “The Potential of Young Scientists as a Driver of Agro-Industrial Complex Development” takes place at the EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Forum began with a plenary session in the format of a panel discussion on the topic “Main trends in the development of young scientists’ potential in the agro-industrial complex”.

Miroslava Skrynnikova, Deputy Director of the Department of Scientific and Technological Policy and Education of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, I would like to welcome the participants of the Forum, who are not even the future, but already the present of our science. The pit of the 1990s, when many people stopped engaging in scientific activities, hinders the development of the agro-industrial complex. We now critically need breakthrough technologies, a new way of looking at things. Therefore, we welcome the emergence of young scientists in the agrarian sphere, who will not be afraid to voice the boldest views. The Ministry gladly supports the work with young professionals. The doors of our universities and research institutes are always open for them,” Skrynnikova said.

Alexander Gorokhov, Deputy General Director for Commerce of ExpoForum International, also noted the importance of involving young specialists in scientific activities in the agro-industrial complex.

“We are delighted to see young and ambitious people of science at EXPOFORUM. The people who are present here today are those whose work largely determines the preservation of our country’s status as the leading agrarian power. Without science, both fundamental and applied, without the introduction of innovative methods, developments, systemic research, there can be no development or growth of the agro-industrial complex. The Agrorus exhibition is a vivid example of how scientific achievements are applied in practice and move the domestic agriculture forward. Science, education, human potential are the annual topics of Agrorus congress program. It is very important to involve the younger generation in the discussion, as they will build the future. I wish you to succeed in your work and come back to us with new achievements and victories,” Gorokhov said.

The regional forum of the Council of Young Scientists “The potential of young scientists as a driver of agro-industrial complex development” is held within the framework of the 32nd International Agro-Industrial Exhibition Agrorus-2023. It is organized by St. Petersburg State Agrarian University and ANO SoBytie with the support of the Committee on Youth Policy and Cooperation with Public Organizations.

How to develop rural tourism and how farmers can improve the quality of products – items to be discussed by experts at the business events of Agrorus-2023 exhibition at EXPOFORUM from August 30 to September 1.

Themed tracks of the congress program:

• Digitalization in agriculture
• Export of agro-industrial products
• Solving personnel issues in the agro-industrial complex (AIC)
• Import substitution in the agricultural sector
• AIC topical issues
• Modern trends in the development of professional agrarian education

The key event of the congress program, plenary session “Innovative activities in agriculture. Modern Trends and Challenges”, will be held on the first day of the exhibition – August 30. Among the speakers are Kirill Polyakov, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg, Oleg Emtsev, Head of the North-West Interregional Department of Rosselkhoznadzor (Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance), Vladimir Katenev, President of the Union “St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry”, Oleg Malashchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Leningrad Region – Chairman of the Committee for Agro-Industrial and Fishery Complex.

At 14:00, official opening of the 32nd International Agro-industrial Exhibition “Agrorus” and celebration of the day of the Leningrad Region and the City Day of the Gardener will start in Pavilion G with the participation of the Governor of the Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko.

The Regional Forum of the Council of Young Scientists “The Potential of Young Scientists as a Driver of AIC Development”, organized by St. Petersburg State Agrarian University and ANO SoBytie with the support of the Committee on Youth Policy and Cooperation with Public Organizations, will be attended by professors of the Russian Academy of Sciences, researchers, representatives of public organizations, experts and those who will continue the work of leading scientific schools tomorrow.

Vectors of rural tourism development, including foreign countries – Montenegro and Serbia – will be considered at the 1st International Forum “Rural tourism as a vector of socio-economic development of territories”.

Experts will present their opinions on healthy and balanced nutrition and product quality assessment at the Conference “Food Quality and Rational Nutrition – Key to the Nation’s Health”.

The Russian Union of Rural Youth will present research on the development of rural and ecological tourism, prospects for rural tourism in Russia, and preservation of culture and traditions in villages at the 9th Interregional Forum of Rural Youth.

Researchers and experts of agro-industrial complex will discuss resolving practical issues of agriculture, aimed at improving the quality of grain drying, developing effective ways of harvesting grain crops, designing unmanned aerial vehicles for agriculture, with the participants of the Conference “Modern innovative technologies of processing raw materials into quality food products”.

International experience in the development of the industry and vectors of cooperation will “Development of Agriculture and Agro-Industry in BRICS and BRICS+”.

On September 1, the site will host Freshman’s Day and initiation of students of St. Petersburg State Agrarian University. The celebration will begin at 13.00 in Hall E1-E3.

The exhibition will feature the ceremony for awarding the winners of the “Gold Medal” contest of the 32nd agro-industrial exhibition Agrorus-2023.

The exhibition will be held from August 30 to September 1 at: 64/1 Peterburgskoye shosse, St. Petersburg, ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Agrorus is also a grandiose harvest festival and a bright gastronomic experience for everyone. From August 25 to September 3, two agricultural fairs (Agrorus and the fair of the Leningrad region), an exposition of agricultural machinery and “Orthodox Russia” exhibition-fair are waiting for guests in the large parking lot of EXPOFORUM.

The entrance is free of charge!

A free bus runs from Moskovskaya metro station to EXPOFORUM from 9:00 to 19:00 every 20 minutes.

From August 30 to September 1, more than 300 companies and more than 7,000 thousand visitors will take part in the 32nd International Agro-Industrial Exhibition Agrorus-2023 at EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre.

305 enterprises and organizations from 4 countries and 22 regions of Russia will present their achievements. For the first time, Azerbaijan and 14 companies from China are participating to demonstrate agricultural equipment, machinery and components. The traditional participant is the Republic of Belarus. 7 Russian regions will present collective stands. Among them is the Leningrad Region with exposition of all 17 districts.

Agricultural machinery and equipment, food products, IT solutions for agribusiness, mineral and biological fertilizers, hydraulic systems, polymeric materials, peat substrates, microbiological products, dietary supplements and food additives, agricultural drones and much more will be on display by both world-famous brands and new names.

The congress program reflects the widest possible range of topical industry issues. Among the key events are the plenary session, Conference “Development of agriculture and agro-industry of BRICS and BRICS+”, Regional Forum of the Council of Young Scientists “Potential of young scientists as a driver of agro-industrial complex development”, 1st International Forum “Rural tourism as a vector of socio-economic development of territories” with the participation of representatives of Montenegro. In total, more than 30 events will take place.

The Business Contact Centre (BCC) will be open for 2 days at the exhibition. August 30th is Restaurant and Retailers Day, and the 31st is Agribusiness Day.

The Golden Medal competition under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation will identify the best producers and service providers in the agro-industrial sector.

Simultaneously with the exhibition (August 30 – September 1), the agricultural fair Agrorus (August 25 – September 3) and the fair of farms of the Leningrad region (August 30 – September 3) are held in the open space. For the first time, exhibition-sale “Orthodox Russia” (August 25 – September 3) will work next to Agrorus fair in EXPOFORUM. These days EXPOFORUM expects more than 50 thousand visitors. About 7,000 thousand will be guests of the Agrorus exhibition.

The fair runs from August 30 to September 1, 10:00 to 18:00. Free shuttle buses run from Moskovskaya Metro Station to EXPOFORUM.

Topical issues of interaction with retail chains, nuances of legislation in the work of farmers with network retailers, as well as new prospects and unique technologies for practical application in agriculture will be discussed by professionals in the agro-industry at a special conference for homestead farms, which will be held on August 31 at 11:00 at the Business Contact Centre.

Agro-industry specialists, suppliers and buyers interested in developing their agribusinesses are invited to participate in the presentation conference.

The conference will be moderated by Sergey Baranov, responsible for the development of the “Technology Transfer” area of Ingria Business Incubator, JSC Technopark of St. Petersburg.

New horizons of agricultural development will be discussed in the first block of the event. The current “Farmer’s Yard” project through which Magnit retail chain sells farm products and a pilot project for the procurement and supply of farm products, will be presented by Polina Borodina, head of external communications and government relations of the North-West region Magnit stores.

Mikhail Mozharenko, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Chief Specialist of the Phosphogypsum Sales Department of Apatit JSC, will speak about the use of local raw materials to solve problems in crop and livestock farming in the North-West region of Russia. Mikhail Lugovoi, Head of Innovation Projects at Rusagro Group of Companies, will share his practical experience in the use of whole milk replacer.

In the second block of the conference, expert speakers will present new technologies in agro-industry, including IT-technologies, and discuss them with participants.

Practical experience in the development and application of innovative products and technology will be shared by Grigory Ivanov, Deputy General Director for Economics, Advisor for Innovations and Work with Universities of the Association of Industrial Enterprises of St. Petersburg; Alexey Trofimov, Chairman of the Russian Union of Rural Youth in the Tver Region; Konstantin Okunev, Development Director of Milkburg LLC; Andrey Scherbakov, General Director of the Scientific and Production Centre MICROBOX; Alexey Pavlov, General Director, Lev Gogolev, General Director of Metropir LLC, Dmitry Konnov, Product Development Director of Lartech LLC, and Denis Antonov, General Director of DAAF LLC.

The entrance is free for visitors using the electronic ticket of the visitor of Agrorus exhibition.

The conference will be held on August 31 from 11:00 to 13:00 on the site of the Business Contact Centre in Pavilion G of EXPOFORUM Exhibition and Convention Centre (64/1 Peterburgskoye Shosse, St. Petersburg).

On August 30, representatives of consulates of Malta, India, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Hungary, Tajikistan and other countries will hold meetings in the Business Contact Centre and get acquainted with the proposals of Agrorus-2023 participants.

More than 2,000 meetings between suppliers and buyers in the food and agribusiness industry are expected to take place at the Business Contact Centre this year. Foreign consuls will be offered to study the suppliers’ proposals for potential exports and bilateral cooperation.

In addition to familiarizing themselves with the products, representatives of the consulates also plan to attend the conference “Presentation day of agro-industry for homestead farms with the participation of federal trade networks and agricultural enterprises” on August 31. There, industry professionals will talk about advanced technologies and current trends that can be applied in agriculture, as well as new opportunities for farmers who want to supply products to the shelves of the best chain stores. Speakers will include representatives of Magnit, Rusagro, PhosAgro, as well as experts from high-tech innovative companies-residents of Ingria Business Incubator.

The Business Contact Centre supports direct negotiations between manufacturers and buyers in an informal atmosphere. More than 1,400 meetings were held during one day of the Business Contact Centre operation in 2022, and an even greater number of promising and productive negotiations is expected this year.

To find an owner, to compete, to be cuddled, to show off in front of the public and to model for a photographer – this is not a complete list of things which rodents will engage in at the Zooshow in EXPOFORUM on September 2–3.

The organizers of the Rodent Celebration are regular participants in the Zoo Show. Each year they bring in Chilean squirrels (aka degou), chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats and hamsters to the show. Some animals already have owners and they are brought to the Zooshow to find a couple and take part in competitions. However, many animals are looking for a human. And they find one at the exhibition.

The first day of the expo is dedicated to rats. Rodent ropewalkers will give performances, take part in a jumping competition and an animal fashion show.

A professional rodent breeder will work at the event to examine your pet by appointment. He will tell if your pet has champion potential, the longest tail or the biggest ears.

“Angel Day” – the analog of “Secret Santa” – will be traditionally held for rodent owners at Zooshow. To take part in the holiday and receive a pleasant gift, one has to prepare a small surprise for another rodent owner. The draw will show who will get your gift and who will surprise you.

The second day at the rodent area is dedicated to guinea pigs. At the Zooshow main stage, the cute animals will compete for the title of “Fruit Eater”, parade around in fancy costumes and take part in a guinea pig hairstyling contest.

In the rodent area, there will be a table for cross-sharing handy items for pets. Cages, carriers, bowls, drinking bowls, hammocks and other things can be placed on the table. And if you like something on it – you can have it absolutely for free!

Before the show, each animal undergoes hygienic procedures: rodents’ tails are washed, claws are clipped and hair is treated. Animals participating in the event are allowed into the exhibition pavilion only after veterinary examination and submission of veterinary accompanying documents.

Event dates: September 2–3, 2023, 10:00 to 18:00.

Venue: 64/1 Peterburgskoe Shosse, 64/1, EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre, Pavilion F.

During the event, free shuttle buses run every 20 minutes from Moskovskaya metro station to EXPOFORUM. Learn more at the official website of the project.

Passengers with pets are allowed to travel as long as they follow the rules of animal transportation.

From August 25 to July 3, Agrorus-2023 agricultural fair takes place at EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre. The new mascot of the project, white and fluffy AgroGus, came to the fair to check what it has in store for the demanding guests, learn the secret of the Vyborg pretzel, and fill his belly to the brim.

A goose is a flying bird, but our protagonist decided to take the subway to the fair. It’s more fun that way. Especially because there is a shuttle bus from Moskovskaya station (house No. 197 on Moskovsky Prospekt) running every 20 minutes which took him directly to EXPOFORUM absolutely free of charge.

Ordinary geese nibble on grass, but ours likes delicacies. So the white bird went straight to the farmer’s cheeses from the Leningrad Region. Representatives of a private cheese factory offered to taste cheddar, caciotta, cream cheeses, and sagrada cooked according to Spanish technology.

“Gourmet cheese is one of the exclusives. It is cooked by our cheesemaker using a secret recipe known only to him. There’s morbier that goes great with all drinks. They add ash from fruit trees to it,” said the factory representatives.

The secret of cheese was not revealed even to the goose, but he learned all the secrets of the Vyborg pretzel. Apparently, the whole trick is the rich history and recipes that pass through generations. By the way, besides pretzels, the Vyborg bakery makes cookies with nuts, buns, and much more.

Agrorus had traditionally gathered farmers from all over Russia. Arkhangelsk residents treated the goose with pickled mushrooms, fresh berries, and willow herb tea, which, according to them, helps against all diseases in the world.

AgroGus couldn’t take its beak off the Altai honey. Buckwheat, linden, acacia, pine honey, oleoresin, propolis. And also – wild bear honey, extracted right in the dense forests by brave Altai wild honey pickers.

Hospitable Belarusian brothers fed the goose to the brim. They even had a truly exclusive thing in store.

“Among Belarusian delicacies, polendvitsa is a must-try. The meatloaf is smoked on cherry wood shavings, so the flavor is incredible. And real Belarusian lard will go well with it,” said farmers from the brotherly Republic.

But Agrorus is not only a belly feast. Here you can find handy products for the household. They were brought by masters from Udmurtia.

“All our products are handmade without exception. We make all of our kitchen utensils and toys from the hardest woods – walnut, ash, mulberry, catalpa. We order the material from the Caucasus. There are spoons, cutting boards, purses, bark baskets made of our Siberian conifers, birch and juniper. Our pride is walnut chests and jewelry made of birch bark with natural stones,” said the guests from Izhevsk.

The goose also turned out to be an expert gardener, so he stayed in the rows of seedlings for a long time. He especially loved the incredible beauty and fragrance of the hydrangeas.

“Phantom variety hydrangea can grow up to two meters in height and width. A very beautiful variety is Samara Lydia. It turns bright maroon in September. And most importantly, hydrangeas do not require special care, they are completely unpretentious and can grow on any plot,” said the nursery owner.

You can visit the harvest festival, meet the fluffy Agro Goose, hug him, appear on a photo with him, and fill your fridge with all the best delicacies from August 25 to September 3. On August 30, Agrorus will be joined by a fair of farmers from the Leningrad Region. So there will be even more of the natural, delicious and healthy treats. Fish, meat, cheese, mushrooms, honey… Any food market would envy EXPOFORUM on these days. Hurry up before the goose eats it all!

A large reptile exhibition “World of Dinosaurs” will attract the attention of visitors to the Zooshow. Autumn 2023” exhibition on 2–3 September at EXPOFORUM. You can be photographed with pet reptiles, and their owners will share the secrets of raising and keeping exotic animals.

A three-year-old python Loki and a four-year-old boa constrictor Pirate have been familiar to Zooshow visitors since birth. They are annual attendees of the event, favorites of the public and the first choice for photoshoots. This year, the cold-blooded company is diversified by grass snakes, whip snakes, scorpions, giant cockroaches, eublefara lizards, crested geckos and bearded dragon lizards.

Giant Achatina land snails will also be of interest. They have proven to be excellent pets due to their cute appearance, unpretentiousness in keeping and hypoallergenic nature. Snails take up little space and fit in the palm of your hand. In the mouth of these animals there are approximately 25 thousand teeth, which are invisible to the human eye and represent a kind of a grater, designed to grind food. But Achatinas are actually safe, and in some ways even useful to humans. Cosmetologists have long ago adopted snail mucin and use it on an industrial scale in cosmetic products and procedures.

A snail lives for an average of 5–8 years in an aquarium and prefers an unpretentious diet of vegetables, fruit, and calcium, which it needs for shell growth.

Decorative African dwarf hedgehogs annually enchant visitors of the Zooshow with their cuteness, tidiness and absence of aggression. If they’re not sleeping, they’re eating. But they eat little, their main food being insects, lean meat, vegetables and fruit. They live about 7–8 years.

You can learn more interesting facts about reptiles at the lectures and workshops that breeders will deliver at the Zooshow!

Event dates: September 2–3, 2023, 10:00 to 18:00.

Venue: 64/1 Peterburgskoe Shosse, 64/1, EXPOFORUM Convention and Exhibition Centre, Pavilion F.

On the days of the event, free shuttle buses run from Moskovskaya Metro Station to EXPOFORUM. Learn more at the official website of the project.

Passengers with pets are allowed to travel as long as they follow the rules of animal transportation.