“The traditionally good cooperation between Bulgaria and China in the field of agriculture and food has been actively developing and constantly expanding in recent years based on the principles of equal partnership”, said the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Georgi Tahov, at a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Bulgaria, Н.E. Ms. Dai Qingli. Minister Tahov pointed out that in 2023, 47% of Bulgaria's total exports to China consisted of agricultural and food products. In terms of this export in 2022 and 2023, Bulgaria occupies first place among the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. He emphasized the cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, together with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), who are working intensively to complete the procedures for fulfilling the requirements for the import of a number of Bulgarian agricultural and food products into China. 38 such procedures have been started and 11 have already been completed. The completion of the remaining procedures will create conditions for a significant increase in the volume and types of Bulgarian agricultural and food products exported to China, including frozen and fresh fruits, wheat and saffron, said the Minister of Agriculture and Food.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Bulgaria, Н.E. Ms. Dai Qingli stated that a number of Chinese companies are successfully investing in Bulgaria and some are considering expanding investments. She emphasized the importance of the Plovdiv-based Demonstration Center for Electronic Trade in Agricultural and Other Products, initiated by the Center for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CECCA). Bulgaria has high-quality agricultural products, noted Ambassador Dai Qingli and gave an example of Bulgarian rose oil and its products, honey, sunflower oil and mineral water.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food supports and will continue to provide institutional support for investors in the food industry, said Minister Tahov.
The initiatives taken so far and future steps to promote e-commerce between the two countries, participation in joint scientific, agricultural and trade forums were discussed during the meeting, as well as the upcoming opening of a permanent pavilion in the Chinese city of Ningbo, where Bulgarian products as agricultural products, cosmetics and food will be presented.