Ana Brum, president of the Câmara Municipal das Lajes do Pico, attended the inauguration ceremony of the Feira Agrícola do Pico 2026, held from May 1 to 3 at Parque Matos Souto in the parish of Piedade.

During her remarks, the mayor emphasized the agricultural fair’s importance to Pico Island, underscoring the central role the event plays in supporting the agricultural sector, promoting local producers, and strengthening the island’s economic and social identity. She described the fair as an essential gathering space for farmers, institutions, and residents — a venue where knowledge, innovation, and community interaction converge around one of the island’s most vital industries.

Ana Brum also addressed the recent rise in fuel prices, warning of the growing difficulties these increases impose on both farmers and families throughout the region. According to the mayor, higher fuel costs have direct consequences for agricultural production, transportation expenses, and the financial sustainability of rural operations. In that context, she called for stronger government support measures capable of easing pressures on the agricultural sector and helping preserve the economic viability of rural life in the Azores.

The central announcement of her speech focused on the future construction of a new Exhibition Pavilion in the parish of Piedade — a major infrastructure project to be undertaken by the municipality of Lajes do Pico.

According to the mayor, the new facility will provide the parish and the island with improved conditions for hosting fairs, exhibitions, and community events, creating a modern and functional venue designed to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural sector and local organizations.

Brum emphasized that the investment represents a clear commitment to local development and economic revitalization, not only for Piedade, but for the municipality and the island as a whole. She also highlighted the importance of reinforcing infrastructure that supports agricultural, cultural, and associative activities — sectors that remain deeply interconnected within the social fabric of the Azores.

The Feira Agrícola do Pico 2026 once again reaffirmed its position as one of the island’s most significant annual gatherings, showcasing both the enduring importance of agriculture to Pico’s identity and the municipality’s stated commitment to safeguarding the sector’s future amid changing economic realities.

Translated and adapted from a Press Release.