The Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Majnun Mammadov, who is on a visit to Bulgaria, met with the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria Georgi Tahov on 31 October in Sofia. The meeting, which was attended by delegations from both countries, discussed the current state of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in the field of agriculture.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Georgi Tahov said that his country is a friendly country with Azerbaijan and is interested in developing partnership relations in all areas. He noted that it is of great importance to intensify trade relations between the two countries and expand ties in the agricultural sector. Minister Tahov stated that Bulgaria attaches great importance to its relations with Azerbaijan and considers the country a reliable strategic partner in the South Caucasus and the wider Black Sea region. He pointed out that agricultural science is very well developed in Bulgaria, and the Agricultural Academy (AA) can offer joint scientific programs in the field of technology and quality control of food and beverages, the production of seeds, fertilizers and new varieties adapted to the climatic conditions of both countries. "AA could train doctoral students from Azerbaijan in specialties such as plant breeding, plant protection, biological sciences, animal husbandry and food technologies," added Minister Tahov. He also highlighted the potential for developing cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. The two sides can exchange information and experience in the sustainable management of fish stocks and the implementation of practices to prevent illegal and unregulated fishing.

Minister Tahov also noted that there are opportunities for expanding bilateral trade in agricultural goods. The good cooperation between the competent authorities of the two countries in the field of food safety and the agreed certificates for the export of a number of agricultural products from Bulgaria to Azerbaijan are an incentive for this.

Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov provided the counterpart with detailed information on the main directions of the agrarian development strategy of Azerbaijan, state support for the agricultural sector, and implemented innovative projects. He said that Azerbaijan supports all initiatives aimed at strengthening economic and trade cooperation with Bulgaria. Minister Mammadov pointed out that Azerbaijan also has a desire to intensify agricultural trade between the two countries and expressed satisfaction with the over thirty-year fruitful partnership between the agricultural ministries of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. The Minister specified that among the leading agricultural products in Bulgarian exports to Azerbaijan in 2024 and the first eight months of 2025 are bread, pasta, confectionery and biscuit products. "In 2025, a more significant import of hazelnuts from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria was also recorded," Minister Mammadov added.

The meeting discussed issues such as strengthening cooperation and the legal and contractual framework in the agricultural sector, strengthening the activities of the Joint Working Group on Agriculture, exchanging information on products with high export potential, exporting fruit and vegetable products produced in Azerbaijan to Bulgaria, increasing trade turnover of agricultural and food products, and expanding ties between businessmen. The transfer of modern technologies, cooperation in the fields of seedling cultivation, plant breeding, aquaculture and fisheries, exchange of experience in the production of alcoholic beverages, encouraging the participation of businessmen in international exhibitions and fairs organized in both countries, and cooperation in the fields of agricultural research and agricultural education were also discussed.

The parties also expressed their interest in further developing bilateral cooperation relations in the field of agriculture between the two countries and increasing trade turnover in agricultural and food products. The meeting saw a broad exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.