The EC presented the benefits for Bulgaria of the signed free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur
SOFIA – A free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur will facilitate access for Bulgarian companies and small firms to the markets of the countries of the South American trade bloc. This is stated by the Directorate-General (DG) “Trade and Economic Security” of the European Commission (EC) on its official page on the occasion of the signing on 17 January of the trade pact with Mercosur, creating the largest free trade area in the world.
Bulgarian businesses will be able to offer services much more easily and cheaply, and local producers (of food and non-food products) and farmers will be able to increase their exports. The deal also implies higher foreign sales at higher prices of traditional Bulgarian delicacies, the directorate notes.
From there they draw attention to the importance of trade for the Bulgarian economy, given that 866,000 jobs in the country, or one in four employed persons, depend on local exports and on EU exports to the world. Bulgaria, according to the official report, maintains close trade relations with Mercosur, with trade (in goods and services) in 2024 amounting to 637 million euros.
The agreement between the EU and Mercosur will remove tariffs on 91 percent of all products, which will benefit almost all Bulgarian exporters, the directorate adds.
The EC points out that the trade deal will remove obstacles for the agricultural and food industries. Expectations are that the agreement will “clear” the way for Bulgarian farmers and that they will increase exports to the region. Bulgaria’s exports of agricultural and food products to Mercosur countries amount to 13 million euros for 2024 and are subject to tariffs ranging between 27 and 55 percent. These rates will be significantly reduced, and for some products will be brought down to zero, the Commission recalls.
The EU-Mercosur partnership agreement will protect from imitation in the markets of the South American bloc 344 protected foods and drinks from the EU. Such a guarantee, according to the EC, is a chance for Bulgaria to sell more and at higher prices, because the selling prices of products with protected geographical indication are between 2 and 3 times higher than those of other products. The EU-Mercosur agreement will protect three Bulgarian geographical indications: Bulgarian rose oil (essential oils); Danubian Plain (wine) and Thracian Lowlands (wine).
The DG “Trade and Economic Security” of the EC emphasizes that important measures will be taken to protect Bulgarian farmers. The EU-Mercosur agreement will further open the services market in the South American union in sectors such as finance; postal and courier services; telecommunications; transport; digital trade and environment. The EC expects the agreement between the EU and Mercosur to open up more opportunities for small businesses.
The Bulgarian caretaker Minister of Agriculture and Food Georgi Tahov told journalists in Berlin on 17 January that he does not expect the signing of the agreement with Mercosur to affect the market in Bulgaria very dramatically. In his words, the country’s exports to Mercosur states are almost negligible, and imports are also at very low levels, with direct imports amounting to under 1 percent.
The European Parliament must vote on the agreement before it is officially approved by the Council of the EU. For the EU-Mercosur Cooperation Agreement to enter into force, ratification by all EU member states will also be required. Before that, however, the EP is expected to vote on 21 January on whether to consult the Court of Justice of the EU on the compatibility of the agreement with Mercosur with the EU treaties. (17.01.2026)
