Without cows, attendance at the Agricultural Show is in free fall: “I make more figures at home in Corrèze than here”

Attendance at the Agricultural Show, which opened on Saturday in Paris, fell by around 25% over the first four days due in particular to the absence of cattle, the organizers announced on Wednesday. The Show had “respected” the breeders’ choice not to bring their cows due to dermatosis.

“We know that the visitor comes to see the muse and the cows,” declared the president of the show Jérôme Despey during a press conference, five days before the closing on Sunday of the event which had brought together over 600,000 visitors per year over the last three years. For the first time in eight years, the opening of the show also coincided with the school holidays in all zones.

“When a show is amputated of one of its historical members, this is naturally felt in the overall dynamic. These elements may have influenced the arrival of a part of the public, traditionally very attached to the beef industry and its heritage role,” added the organizers in a press release.

“I will bring back 90% of my stock”

In the aisles of the show, many exhibitors, visitors and managers noted lower attendance than in other years, especially the first weekend and Saturday, with the traditional inauguration by President Emmanuel Macron.

“In short, it sucks. I am going to bring back 90% of my stock (…) I am not going to write it off. But no one is going to write off. I make more money at home on a market in Corrèze in a morning than in a day here, whereas there, I pay 6 euros per location. Here, I get 3,800 euros for the week and 1,000 euros for a hotel,” lamented Fabrice Virolle, macaron manufacturer.

“Opinions are divided, some report a turnover identical to last year,” declared Valérie Leroy, director of the show, on Wednesday, referring to a “greater comfort of visit, to buy in better conditions” after “exchanges” with the producers. “We also have exhibitors who tell us about a drop, we are working with them to see how we can make them more visible,” she added.

“We will bounce back,” added Jérôme Despey, affirming that this year was “exceptional” and that attendance had experienced a “boost” on Tuesday and hoping that this will continue in the coming days. “Coming is supporting” agriculture, he said, referring to the slogan of the 2026 edition.