The 16+1 forum will start a day earlier at Brdo pri Kranju, while it will be resumed in Gornja Radgona where the participating countries will also be presented.

The meeting with China will be attended by Slovenian Agriculture Minister Dejan Židan, his Chinese counterpart Han Changfu and 50 representatives of Chinese companies - 25 will also participate in the fair, where China is a partner country.

The organisers of the fair have announced a special focus on the International Year for Sustainable Tourism for Development, the food in Slovenia's neighbourhood, sustainable farming and management of forests and agricultural technology for highly effective and sustainable farming.

Leading global farm and forest machinery brands will be present on what are 71,000 square metres of exhibition space, as will top food and wine products. The fair will moreover be livened up with presentations of indigenous animals and bee-keeping.

The main topics of the presentation by the Agriculture, Forestry and Food Ministry will be the building of links of agriculture, forestry and food with the international environment, a better connection between buyers and the food sector, the protection of buyers against double standards in food quality and climate change impact reduction in the sector.

The fair, to be opened by President Borut Pahor, will also be accompanied by expert debates, business meetings, markets, tastings, competitions and entertainment.

Meanwhile, the biggest agri-food fair in the country will feature 1,820 exhibitors from 36 countries.