Berlin  - A whiff of countryside is coming to the German capital, as the world's largest agricultural fair opens Friday in Berlin.

Alongside cows, pigs and tractors, 1,600 exhibitors from more than 50 countries will converge on Berlin's exhibition centre for the 74th annual Green Week from January
16-25.

As many as 400,000 visitors are expected to view more than 100,000 culinary specialities from around the world, spread along eight kilometres of exhibition space.

The Netherlands, this year's partner country, receives a special focus, while newcomer Kyrgyzstan is exhibiting alongside Green Week veterans such as Italy's wine, cheese and olive oil producers.

As in previous years, Germany's federal states will use a large section of the fair to present regional specialities, from Bavarian beer to Berlin's famous curried sausage.

Alongside the exhibition stands, a range of seminars and conferences is drawing ministers as well as food and agriculture specialists from around the world.

One of the most anticipated guests is Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is using the occasion to hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Russia's presence has become a regular feature at the Green Week in recent years.

In 2008, Russian delegates at the fair bought farming equipment including tractors, greenhouses and animal pens to the tune of 330 million euros.

In light of the current economic climate, this year's Green Week will be monitored as an indicator for investment and spending trends in the coming months.

Around 30 agriculture ministers are expected from Europe and the wider world, including Russia's Alexej Gordejev, Chinese vice-minister for agriculture Chen Xiao Hua, India's Sharad Pawar, Tefera Deribew of Ethiopia and Brazil's former agriculture minister Roberto Rodrigues.

EU Commissioner Mariann Fischer-Boel joins the group, who are holding an international conference of agricultural ministers during the Green Week.

For the tenth year running, the fair will also include a replica farm, at which visitors can watch 20 cows being milked.

The focus will be on industrial production methods, a subject that has received recent media attention in Germany, where a debate is raging over the labelling of fresh milk. (dpa)