For the 82nd time, Budapest will burst into a whirlwind of rural color as OMÉK, the National Agriculture and Food Exhibition and Fair, takes over the HUNGEXPO Congress and Exhibition Center from September 18 to September 21, 2025. This legendary event, nearly 150 years old, is the largest celebration of Hungarian agriculture and food production. It’s a must for anyone interested in food, farming, and the rural way of life—city dwellers, visitors from the countryside, and professionals alike.
Bringing the Nation’s Agriculture Into the Spotlight
OMÉK isn’t just about showcasing tractors or tempting visitors with artisan honey and sausages, though you’ll find plenty of those, too. It’s the ultimate networking hub for farmers, producers, processing companies, retailers, commercial chains, and experts. Domestic and international buyers come seeking opportunities, and the 2025 event will focus on celebrating and highlighting the tireless work of Hungary’s farmers.
Showcasing Everything from Seeds to Smart Tech
Once again, OMÉK will host the Hungarian Food Summit (Magyar Élelmiszer Csúcs), a major international business matchmaking event. The first summit, held two years ago, was a runaway hit, prompting the organizers to expect 80 to 100 Hungarian food export companies, plus around 200 buyers from across the globe.
But the weekend belongs to the public. Expect tens of thousands to pour in for family activities, creative workshops, cooking demonstrations, and, above all, Central Europe’s largest small-producer market—a paradise for anyone eager to taste their way through Hungary’s culinary traditions. There’s even a standalone “Hungarikum” booth showcasing the nation’s most treasured products, from Tokaj Aszú (Tokaji Aszú, famed dessert wine) to Gyula sausage (Gyulai kolbász, spicy sausage) and Pálinka (fiery fruit spirit).
The Digital Revolution in Agriculture
OMÉK doesn’t just look backward; it’s also focused on the future. Digitalization is transforming agriculture at lightning speed, and OMÉK 2025 responds with a unique conference: “Smart Technology, Green Future — Modernization Solutions in Service of Agriculture.” Hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture on the opening day, the event explores where European and Hungarian digitalization is heading, which innovations are shaping tomorrow’s farms, and how they are being used for efficiency, sustainability, and generational renewal.
Panels and roundtables will delve into field crops, animal husbandry, and horticulture, highlighting real-world best practices and win-win collaborations. More than tech talk, expect practical ideas you can actually use, aimed at making Hungary’s next generation of farmers smarter and more adaptable.
Explore OMÉK’s Pavilions: A Guide
The layout is impressive:
A Pavilion: The professional heart—agricultural organizations, food producers, machinery exhibitions, Hungarian Food Business Program exhibitors, B2B meetings with global buyers, and official Ministry programs.
B Pavilion: The animal show, always a family favorite.
C Pavilion: The Conference Center—where the major talks, seminars, and forums will take place on September 18–19.
D Pavilion: Home to small farmers, family businesses, artisans, the “Free-From Festival” (MentesFeszt, Free-From Foods) section, certified National Park producers, and regional “Certified National Products” (HÍR) displays. The main stage here hosts everything from children’s concerts to food education sessions.
E Pavilion: Explore the “Treasures of the Carpathian Basin” market, with cross-border organizations bringing the best produce, crafts, fashion shows, and live folk music. The Hungarikum section celebrates Hungary’s top national values, including the spa town Hévíz, honey, embroidered lace from Halas (Halas lace), the Busó masked parade, and the legendary Karikás whip.
The Passage (Passzázs) area between pavilions is packed with street food, drinks, wooden stalls, and food trucks—a guaranteed sensory overload.
Program Highlights for Everyone
On all four days, the D Pavilion Main Stage offers nonstop entertainment from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM—children’s musicians like Alma and Bubble (Buborék), folk and pop concerts (Bálint Gájer, Veca Janicsák), dance groups, gardening sessions with Marcsi Borbás, and hands-on workshops on topics ranging from crop diversity to safe herb use and eco-friendly farming.
Panel discussions address food security, organic bread, and community gardens, while kids and adults can meet scientists, chefs, and environmental activists.
Tickets and Visitor Info
Tickets are affordable: a regular day ticket is $2.80, a family ticket for two adults and children under 18 is $5.60, and entry is free for children under 6. There are strict rules for animal visitors—leave your pets at home to protect livestock and minimize infection risk during the fair.
Enter through gates I and III at HUNGEXPO. Bring your curiosity (and your appetite), and get ready to experience how Hungarian agriculture is stepping into the future while celebrating its enduring roots.
OMÉK 2025 will take place September 18–21 at HUNGEXPO, Budapest. Don’t miss the chance to dig in!
