LB Bulgaricum presented its latest development, a lactose-free probiotic ayran, at the largest food exhibition in Bulgaria.
The food industry has a pronounced export potential. Since 2010, food exports have been growing steadily, with an overall increase of 244% between 2010 and 2023. In 2023 alone, food exports are worth BGN 11.2 billion and are growing by 12% year-on-year, accounting for 13% of the country’s total exports. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. David Sukalinski at the opening of one of the most significant events in the sector for South-East Europe – the International Food Exhibitions Meatmania, The Way of Milk, Interfood & Drink and Wine & Spirits Show. More than 500 exhibitors from 3 continents participated in the forum, uniting the entire food and beverage industry.
Dr. Sukalinski noted that with nearly 90,000 employees across approximately 6,000 companies, the food industry is the largest employer in Bulgaria’s manufacturing sector.
He is confident that the forum will open up new opportunities for business connections and the development of markets and distribution networks across all segments of the food industry. It will serve as a launchpad for start-up companies and guide the industry’s growth and competitiveness.
At the opening of the exhibition, Deputy Minister Sukalinski and the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Georgi Tahov, visited the stand of the state-owned dairy company under the Ministry of Economy and Industry, LB Bulgaricum. The company showcased its latest product, a lactose-free probiotic lactate, featuring a probiotic strain with a European patent, for the first time. Developed by scientists at the LB Bulgaricum Research Centre, this product is designed for a wide range of applications, including for consumers who have difficulty digesting lactose. Following production tests, it will be launched on the market.
His Excellency Hisashi Michigami, the Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria, visited the booth of LB Bulgaricum and engaged in discussions with Deputy Minister Sukalinski and LB Bulgaricum’s Executive Director, Zhivko Zhivkov. During the conversation, it became evident that a month after the signing of the agreement for a joint scientific laboratory with the Japanese company Meiji, the company is already actively working on implementing the agreement, having commenced the operational phase of establishing the laboratory in Bulgaria.
In his speech at the opening of the Forum, Ambassador Michigami thanked Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. Petko Nikolov and Deputy Minister Sukalinski for their effective cooperation. He referred to the contract signed a month ago between the state-owned LB Bulgaricum and Japan’s Meiji for building a joint laboratory as a strong foundation for improving the collaboration between the two companies. Ambassador Michigami said that every day, 500,000 cups of Meiji-Bulgaria Yogurt are made in Japan under a license from the Bulgarian company.
At the official opening ceremony of the International Food Exhibitions, organized by the Inter Expo Center and industry organizations from the sector, participants included H.E. Giuseppina Zarra, the Ambassador of Italy; H.E. Kenneth Merten, the Ambassador of the United States; Svetlozar Patarinski, the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency; Dobri Mitrev, the President of the Managing Board of the Bulgarian Industrial Association; and the chairs of the industry unions and associations from the food and beverage industry.