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Doha – The Salon International d’Agriculture of Paris (SIA) wrapped up on Sunday after breaking new ground by featuring Morocco as its first-ever international guest of honor in the exhibition’s six-decade history.
In their closing assessment, organizers characterized this unprecedented move as a “strategic turning point,” positioning the Salon “as an essential crossroads for agriculture of today and tomorrow, distinguished by unprecedented international openness with, for the first time, a guest country illustrating the Salon’s desire to broaden its horizons and strengthen agricultural cooperation.”
The 2025 showcase, now concluded, drew 607,503 attendees, displayed 4,000 animals, and accommodated over 1,000 exhibitors across 16 hectares — cementing its status as France’s premier agricultural exhibition.
The official summary celebrated “a claimed pride: that of the women and men who bring French agriculture to life and uphold its excellence, know-how, and commitment to the future.”
The Moroccan delegation garnered substantial attention, with crowds flocking to the national pavilion where the array and quality of regional products captivated both casual visitors and industry professionals throughout the nine-day event.
The country’s display featured thirty exhibitors representing 76 cooperatives, encompassing nearly 2,000 small farmers from all twelve regions of Morocco.
The 476-square-meter national showcase, which put on display the depth and variety of Moroccan agriculture, was inaugurated by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, who attended the official SIA opening alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
Throughout the exhibition period, the Moroccan pavilion attracted numerous high-profile French personalities, including Prime Minister François Bayrou, members of his government, and deputies.
When the pavilion first opened, President Macron had declared himself “very happy and very proud” to welcome Morocco as the guest of honor, noting that this decision followed his October state visit to Morocco made at the invitation of King Mohammed VI.
The agricultural relationship between the two countries is substantial. According to trade statistics, agricultural products represented about 9% of French exports to Morocco in 2023 (approximately €610 million) and nearly 19% of French imports from Morocco (about €1 billion).
France supplied over 50% of Morocco’s soft wheat imports in 2023, while Morocco exported 400,000 tons of tomatoes to France in the same year.
“Morocco is a great friend of France,” said French Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard during the event, stressing that Morocco’s selection as guest of honor represents a “true sign of friendship” between the two countries.
In a reciprocal gesture, France will be the guest of honor at the Salon International de l’Agriculture au Maroc (SIAM), scheduled from April 21 to 27.
