site.btaAgriculture Minister Confers with Italian Ambassador on Expanding Agri-Food Cooperation

Agriculture and Food Minister Georgi Tahov met with Italian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Marcello Apicella, the Ministry said on Monday. The meeting focused on cooperation in agriculture and trade.

During the meeting, Tahov said Italy is one of Bulgaria’s leading trading partners in agriculture and food processing. “Italy is among our key partners, accounting for between 4% and 6% of Bulgaria’s agricultural trade in recent years. While trade between the two countries is well-developed, there remains untapped potential to expand and deepen cooperation in the agricultural sector,” he said.

The Minister noted that in the first seven months of 2025, Bulgarian agricultural exports to Italy increased by over 21% from a year earlier, wheat, sunflower oil, truffles and mushrooms being the main exports to Italy.

In turn, Ambassador Apicella noted the close ties between the two countries, calling Bulgaria a key partner in the region. Italy and Bulgaria face similar challenges in agriculture, such as climate change and water shortages for irrigation, the Ambassador said. He said he was confident that the exchange of experience and technological solutions can promote sustainable development benefiting both economies.