Indonesia and Bulgaria Seek Broader Food Trade Access

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Total trade between Indonesia and Bulgaria reached IDR 4.08 trillion (approximately USD 230.8 million) in 2025, creating opportunities in food and agricultural products, as well as investment and technology cooperation.

Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), and Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment, and Industry, Alexander Poulev, discussed ways to strengthen this cooperation during a meeting in Jakarta on Monday, September 14, 2026.

“This cooperation is expected to strengthen the national food industry while supporting the availability of raw materials for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program,” Minister Zulhas said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

According to data from the Ministry of Trade, Indonesia’s exports to Bulgaria in 2025 reached USD 147.4 million (approximately IDR 2.60 trillion), while imports from Bulgaria totaled USD 83.1 million (approximately IDR 1.47 trillion). Indonesia therefore recorded a trade surplus of USD 64.2 million (approximately IDR 1.13 trillion).

During the meeting, Indonesia proposed several flagship products to expand its market presence in Bulgaria and Europe, including cocoa, coconut, palm oil, and halal food products.

The Indonesian government views Bulgaria as a strategic gateway for Indonesian products entering the European market.

Beyond trade, Minister Zulhas offered Bulgaria investment opportunities, particularly in developing cattle farming and dairy processing technology in Indonesia.

Conversely, Bulgaria offered to supply various food commodities to Indonesia, including milk, beef, corn, and wheat flour. Bulgaria also expressed readiness to promote investment and technology transfer in agriculture and the food industry.

“Indonesia and Bulgaria view the strengthening of food trade as mutually beneficial. Indonesia can serve as a gateway to the Southeast Asian market, and Bulgaria can serve as a gateway to the European market,” Minister Zulhas said.

Indonesia’s key exports to Bulgaria include nickel ores and concentrates, unwrought aluminum, iron and steel products, and margarine. Meanwhile, Indonesia imports wheat and meslin, medical equipment, spices, unmanufactured tobacco, and defense equipment from Bulgaria.

The two countries will hold technical discussions covering trade, investment, food security, agricultural technology, food processing, halal certification, and the development of food supply chains.

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Bulgaria. To commemorate this milestone, Bulgaria has offered to serve as a gateway for Indonesian companies seeking access to the European Union market, which has a population of approximately 450 million. ***