For four days in September, Budapest transforms into the capital’s liveliest countryside carnival as OMÉK (Országos Mezőgazdasági és Élelmiszeripari Kiállítás), Hungary’s grandest agricultural and food industry exhibition, sets up shop at the HUNGEXPO Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center. From September 18 to 21, 2025, the 82nd OMÉK opens its doors to city dwellers, visiting rural families, and agricultural professionals, offering a technicolor showcase of everything Hungary’s farms, food producers, and innovation labs have been developing.
This massive event is a biennial tradition with roots stretching back almost 150 years. It’s not just a trade show or a business meeting spot—although with hundreds of professional exhibitors and a packed networking schedule, it’s certainly that. OMÉK’s real charm is the balance it strikes between family-friendly spectacle and serious industry conference, blending piglet petting, food truck tastings, robotics in the cornfields, and multinational export deals into one irresistible long weekend.
Business Meets Entertainment
While OMÉK’s appeal to the general public is huge, professionals flock to Budapest for the Hungarian Food Summit (Magyar Élelmiszeripari Csúcs). This year, organizers anticipate 80-100 food exporters mingling with about 200 international buyers. It’s a golden opportunity for local producers eyeing foreign markets and foreign buyers hungry for Hungary’s best products. The trade side is serious, but the fairgrounds buzz on the weekend with tens of thousands attending for family and gastronomy events, hands-on workshops, and a sprawling farmers market—the largest in Central Europe.
Kids and adults alike can peek behind the barn doors to see what’s new in food and farming. Curious about the future of Hungarian agriculture? OMÉK has you covered, from innovations in precision farming to classics like sausage tasting and homemade cheese. For those proud of their heritage or simply curious about food, the dedicated Hungarikum (Hungarikum) stand and traditional craft displays highlight everything from Pálinka (Pálinka) to Halas lace (Halasi csipke)—plus the people keeping these traditions alive.
The Cutting Edge: Digitizing the Fields
Agricultural technology is racing ahead, and OMÉK 2025 spotlights how digitization is reshaping the industry. On opening day, the Ministry of Agriculture hosts a landmark conference, “Smart Technology, Green Future—Modernization Solutions in Agriculture.” This gathering explores the hottest topics: the future of digital farming, EU and local trends, and real-life examples that are already transforming Hungary’s fields and greenhouses.
Speakers cover field cultivation, animal husbandry, and horticulture—offering practical solutions farmers can adopt now, from new equipment to smarter business models. The digital boom promises greater efficiency, sustainability, and a much-needed generational shift—passing know-how from veterans to next-generation agriculturalists. Panels discuss how to foster collaboration across generations, ensuring that farmers and families from all backgrounds benefit from the latest technology.
Explore the OMÉK Pavilions
OMÉK’s pavilions are like a miniature Hungary, each offering something unique:
– A Pavilion: Meetings for professionals—featuring industry organizations, cutting-edge agri-tech, food businesses, and the Hungarian Food Business Program. The Hungarian Food Summit takes place here, as does the Ministry’s official workshop.
– B Pavilion: See livestock up close—sheep, cows, and maybe even a Hungarian Grey (Magyar szürke) or two.
– C Pavilion: All about learning—conferences and forums tackling everything from seed exchange to nutrition myths.
– D Pavilion: The small producers’ market—think family farms, artisanal foods, hands-on crafts, kid-friendly stage shows, and the innovative allergy-friendly “MentesFeszt” food section.
– E Pavilion: A Carpathian Basin (Kárpát-medence) fantasy—civil agricultural groups, culinary shows, traditional crafts, folk music, alternative fashion, and a celebrated Hungarikum exhibit featuring national treasures like Hévíz (thermal lake), Tokaji aszú (Tokaj wine), acacia honey (Akácméz), and more.
– Passageway: The “Gastroucca” (Gastroucca)—street food, food trucks, and a relaxed boulevard connecting the pavilions.
What’s On: Stage Highlights
Every OMÉK day is packed with stage action—from garden workshops with TV favorite Marcsi Borbás (Borbás Marcsi) to performances by beloved bands like Alma, Buborék, and Zabszalma. Look for educational talks on topics such as the safe use of medicinal herbs, smart food donation, or the latest in bread and bio-grains. Folk ensembles perform classic tales such as “John the Valiant” (János vitéz), while concerts deliver everything from Disney medleys to Hungarian pop and dance.
Easy Entry and Important Rules
Tickets are a bargain: $2.70 for a regular day pass, $5.40 for the whole family, and kids under 6 get in free. Entrance is via HUNGEXPO Gates I and III.
To protect animal health, OMÉK asks visitors to leave their own pets at home—recent years have seen more infectious animal diseases, so they’re minimizing risks to the animals on display. Thank you for understanding and helping keep Hungary’s agricultural stars healthy.
Circle the Dates
OMÉK 2025 runs from September 18 to 21 in Budapest. Whether you’re coming for business, family fun, or a good old-fashioned country day out, mark your calendar. Don’t miss your chance to see—and taste—the future of Hungarian agriculture.
