Bulgarian F&B exports to China have been rising in recent years. Chinese consumers show interest in high-quality and authentic European food products, creating a space for Bulgaria to showcase its strengths. However, understanding market access is key to avoid common hurdles.
China’s food & beverage market can present Bulgarian SMEs with notable challenges but also promising opportunities. Navigating complex regulations related to food safety, import requirements, and intellectual property protection can be demanding. Another element of success is to adapt to local consumer preferences, which are evolving rapidly.
To provide practical information to Bulgarian small and medium-sized companies interested in the Chinese market, the EU SME Centre and the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Shanghai are organising a webinar on Wednesday 22 October 2025. This session, which will be conducted in English, is free of charge and open to all European SMEs.
Agenda
Eastern European Summer Time (EEST)
10:00–10:30 Sofia Time
Opening remarks
10:30–11:40 Sofia Time
Exporting F&B products to China
Regulatory constraints to enter the market
Some market characteristics and recent trends
Making your products available: what distribution channels
How to reach and convince Chinese customers
General advice/tips
11:40–12:00 Sofia Time
Q&A session
Keynote speaker
David Lavorel
Business Advisor, EU SME Centre
As the Business Advisor of the EU SME Centre, David Lavorel advises European SMEs on how to access opportunities and mitigate risks in the Chinese market.
A seasoned advisor with extensive experience on China-related matters, he has spent most of the past 30 years in China. He worked for a French electric utility company, a European chemical group, the Trade section of the French Embassy in Beijing and a leading European Intellectual Property Law firm. In 2010, he was selected by the European Commission and a consortium of chambers of commerce to launch the EU SME Centre Phase I.
During his career, he has advised hundreds of SMEs on how to approach the Chinese market, with a particular focus on industrial and infrastructure sectors.
