Support policies in Bulgaria continue to have a major focus on small and medium-sized farms, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Desislava Taneva said after the official inauguration of Bulgaria’s booth at the International Green Week Berlin 2020, a specialised exhibition for the Food Industry, Agriculture and Horticulture. She added that the debate on the future Common agricultural policy needs to strike a balance. Minister Taneva pointed out that the good message at the official inauguration of the exhibition is that EU political leaders understand the need for adequate budget funding for farmers. According to her, each of the Member States understand clearly modern times’ challenges and realize what kind of practices need to become common in terms of agriculture. “The case in point are environmentally friendly practices. The matter in hand is what budget will be agreed on the CAP, and that depends on the Multiannual Financial Framework,” Minister Taneva explained.
According to her, the demand and production of organic products has marked an increase both in Bulgaria and at European Union level.
Minister Taneva welcomed Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Klöckner with a folklore programme and traditional Bulgarian products.
Germany is among the main partners in Bulgaria’s trade in agricultural commodities. In 2018, the agricultural trade between the two countries amounted to €635 million, which represents a 7.1% increase compared to 2017. On an annual basis, exports of agricultural products for the German market is increasing by 15.6% to reach € 292.4 million.
In 2018, sunflower and wheat were the leading agricultural products in Bulgarian exports to the German market, followed by processed fruit, bakery, pastry or biscuit products, honey, cheeses, plants, seeds and fruits used in perfumery and medicine, tobacco, chocolate products, oil cake, etc.
Minister Taneva pointed out the political nature of the exhibition and the fact that each country is able to present its traditional production there. She thanked all Bulgarian producers who represent our country within the framework of the exhibition in the best possible manner for yet another year. This year, Bulgarian’s booth is hosted on an area of 143 square meters, presenting the products of 19 companies. It includes 6 sections: wines; honey and jams; dairy products; meat products; organic products; essential oils. It also includes a section in which representatives of the Ministry of Tourism will promote Bulgaria as a tourist destination. Exhibition attendees will have the opportunity to try Bulgarian wines, organic products based on essential oils, organic walnut oil, honey and bee products, organic meat and dairy products, jams and preserves, fruit juices, organic almonds, organic pretzel sticks and cookies.