Minister of Agriculture Highlights Strong Bilateral Trade Growth at Bulgarian-Chinese Business Forum
Agricultural and food trade between Bulgaria and China has surged by over 37% in 2023, as announced by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Georgi Tahov, at the official opening of the Bulgarian-Chinese Business Forum in Sofia. He added that Bulgarian exports to the Chinese market doubled in 2023 compared to 2022. Leading agricultural products in Bulgaria’s export portfolio to China in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 include corn and sunflower meal. Bulgaria recorded a positive trade balance of $395 million in 2023, up from $52 million in 2022.
“Over the past few years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, in collaboration with the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency and the General Administration of Customs of China, has been working intensively to complete the procedures required for the import of various Bulgarian agricultural and food products into China,” informed Minister Tahov. He noted that 34 procedures have been initiated, with 11 already completed and endorsed by both parties. “Completing the remaining procedures will significantly increase the volume and variety of Bulgarian agricultural and food products exported to China,” he added.
Minister Tahov emphasized that Bulgaria successfully collaborates with China within the multilateral framework, particularly in agriculture and food. He highlighted that since its official launch on June 26, 2015, in Sofia, the Center for the Promotion of Cooperation in Agriculture between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CPCA), which organized the current business forum, has proven to be a crucial instrument for fostering agricultural cooperation and trade in this format.
Significant are the two strategic projects of the CPCA, approved by the Bulgarian Council of Ministers and successfully implemented in CEE countries and China: the creation and development of 16+1 Demonstration Zones for Agricultural Cooperation and 16+1 Logistic Hubs and E-Commerce Pavilions for Agricultural and Other Products. Two “16+1 Agricultural Cooperation Demonstration Zones” have been established in Plovdiv Province—in the region of Parvomay, operated by Tianjin Farm Cultivation Group Company Bulgaria EOOD, and at the Agricultural University in Plovdiv, managed by the CPCA.
Dr. Momchil Stanishev, Executive Director of CPCA, stated that seven Chinese companies from various sectors are participating in the forum, one of which can help any Bulgarian business position its product in Shanghai. “Bilateral business meetings between interested parties are forthcoming. There is significant participation from relevant Bulgarian companies and interest in today’s forum. We hope this is just the beginning of our relations with Shanghai,” said Dr. Stanishev.
The sectors represented at the forum include customs services and food import-export, smart food markets, automotive industry, artificial intelligence and unmanned heavy-duty vehicles, intelligent lighting, construction, and trade exhibitions.
During the event, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between CPCA and the International Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai.
