Viet Nam, Bulgaria expand cooperation in agriculture and fisheries after joint statement

Within the framework of the official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria from October 22 to 24, at noon on October 23 (local time), at the Presidential Palace in Sofia, General Secretary To Lam and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev reached a consensus on six groups of cooperation measures aimed at strengthening and deepening bilateral relations. Among these, agriculture was identified as a key sector with significant potential for development in the new context.

Immediately following the high-level talks, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang held a bilateral meeting with Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Georgi Tahov. The meeting was considered a concrete step to implement the directions of the two countries' leaders, aimed at promoting cooperation between the two Ministries in agriculture, livestock production, and fisheries.

Both sides agreed to assign their specialized agencies to coordinate on a wide range of areas, including agricultural cooperation, research, and human resource training, with the participation of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and research institutions under Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Speaking at the meeting, Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang emphasized that the working session took place at a significant time, as 2025 marks the 75^th anniversary of Viet Nam–Bulgaria diplomatic relations. This is a significant opportunity for both sides to outline cooperation orientations in agriculture, environment, and food, which are sectors with great potential and strengths, thereby deepening the partnership between the two countries.

Regarding cooperation, the two Ministries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2014 on cooperation in agriculture, livestock production, and fisheries. In 2017, Viet Nam’s Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute and Bulgaria’s Research Institute for Roses signed an agreement on rose variety research and development.

Based on these earlier MoUs and the substantial potential for cooperation in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, which account for the highest share of trade between the two countries, both sides agreed to continue discussions toward signing a bilateral agreement on cooperation in agriculture, livestock production, and fisheries.

In terms of trade, two-way turnover reached USD 263 million in 2024, up 24.4% compared to that in 2023. In the first half of 2025, the figure stood at USD 110 million, including USD 95 million in exports from Viet Nam. Bulgaria currently has 14 investment projects in Viet Nam with a total capital of nearly USD 35 million, ranking 68^th out of 143 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. Specifically for agricultural products, Viet Nam’s exports to Bulgaria reached USD 187 million (up 33.1%), while imports totaled USD 76 million (up 7.2%), resulting in a trade surplus of more than USD 110 million.

Viet Nam's key export products to Bulgaria include coffee, cashew nuts, rice, and rubber, while imports from Bulgaria consist of wheat, corn, tobacco, sunflower seeds, rose seedlings, and fertilizers. Viet Nam is currently authorized to export honey, milk, animal hair, and processed food products to the EU, including Bulgaria. In return, Bulgaria wishes to export beef, pork, dairy products, breeding eggs, and seafood to Viet Nam, with both sides now coordinating disease risk assessments in accordance with international regulations.

The two ministers agreed to further deepen cooperation in agriculture and fisheries. Viet Nam can learn from Bulgaria’s experience in salmon and carp farming, while Bulgaria represents a promising market for Viet Nam’s strong products, such as shrimp and pangasius. Both sides will also strengthen exchanges of technical information, food safety practices, and technology transfer in processing, post-harvest management, and livestock waste treatment, moving toward green, circular, and sustainable agricultural development.

The meeting between Acting Minister Tran Duc Thang and Minister Georgi Tahov was regarded as a step to concretize General Secretary To Lam's directions, contributing to promoting Viet Nam–Bulgaria agricultural cooperation in a more substantive, effective, and sustainable manner in the new phase.