Finland’s largest agricultural fair opens in Kalajoki

The Farmari agricultural fair, Finland’s largest, has opened in Kalajoki with an expected 60,000 visitors over three days, Yle reports.

Eight-year-old Doris Valliovuo from Kalajoki demonstrated her milking skills on a wooden cow model, while her 10-year-old brother Hugo showed more interest in machinery, horses, and games of chance. Their activities at the fair reflected exactly what organisers hoped for, according to Henri Honkala, Farmari’s exhibition director.

Honkala described the event as a showcase for Finnish food production, aiming to reconnect people with the origins of their food amid increasingly closed-off agricultural practices. The fair also serves as a meeting point for consumers, producers, authorities, and policymakers to discuss current issues.

This year’s themes include responsibility and fairness in the food chain, as well as the future of the sector. Honkala noted that recognising the importance of domestic food production is key to ensuring its continuation.

Over 400 exhibitors are participating in the event, held for the first time in Kalajoki. The next Farmari fair will take place in Jyväskylä in 2028.