Opportunities and challenges in some sectors of Bulgarian agriculture within Transatlantic Partnership for Trade and Investment

Dilyana Mitova

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to analyze the opportunities and challenges for some sectors of Bulgarian agriculture within the transatlantic partnership for trade and investment. Studies of the effects of TPTI work with a number of assumptions as yet negotiations continue and the parameters of the agreement are not entirely clear, except that it mainly aims at liberalizing trade between the EU and the US. On the basis of statistical data is traced Bulgaria’s trade with the US, in particular agricultural trade and some conclusions are made about the importance of the agricultural sector for the TPTI. The export and import of Bulgaria to the US is analyzed for 15 – year’s period and trends in agricultural trade are set, as well as most important traded products are pointed. Analyzed the impact of TPTI on meat livestock and organic farming sectors are analyzed. Most traded goods from Bulgaria in US are dairy products (cheeses), oil-bearing seeds and tobacco. The most common of the US goods in Bulgaria are tobacco, meal and prepared foods, and fruits and vegetables. By reducing trade barriers Bulgaria may even increase its role on the US market because Bulgarian products would become even more affordable. Another issue is whether Bulgaria has sufficient production to seek the realization at the American market. Lifting the ban on US to EU imports of meat produced using growth hormones as well as non-hormonal growth promoters; of products and foods containing GMOs and others has the potential to enhance the flow of raw materials for the food industry in Europe and in Bulgaria as well. At the same time, the EU and Bulgaria must carefully decide whether they would like such materials to enter our markets, in view of the stricter European standards for food safety and human health. The attitude towards these issues should follow a science-based approach and the society should have the opportunity to make informed choices. In the organic sector TPTI would further facilitate the process of exchange of organic products and organic food between Bulgaria and the US. It would help to enrich the assortment of organic products reaching the Bulgarian consumer, on the one hand and on the other - would give the Bulgarian bio producer a huge (over 850 mil. people) market for its organic products. Essential oils of rose, lavender, mint, wild berries and dried herbs, honey and cheese can be called niche products with which Bulgaria would conquered the even larger share of the US market. Bulgarian agriculture can realize the benefits of TPTI through niche products - dairy products, honey, tobacco, herbs, essential oils, organic products that find acceptance of multimillion markets such as the US.

Keywords: agriculture trade; challenges; meat livestock; opportunities; organic farming; TPTI

Date published: 2017-10-04