Raw Materials for Free Nutritious Meal Programme Discussed at RI-Bulgaria Meeting — These Are the Commodities

The availability of raw materials for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme was one of the topics discussed at a meeting between Indonesia and Bulgaria. Bulgaria offered a number of food commodities for the Indonesian market, ranging from milk and beef to maize and wheat flour.

The meeting was held between Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), and Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister, who also serves as Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry, Alexander Poulev, on Monday (14/9).

During the meeting, Indonesia offered investment opportunities to Bulgaria, particularly in the development of cattle ranching and milk processing technology in Indonesia. Indonesia also offered a number of flagship products to expand its market in Bulgaria and Europe, including cocoa, coconut, palm oil and halal food products.

“This cooperation is expected to strengthen the national food industry while supporting the availability of raw materials for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme,” said Gunawan, Head of the General Affairs and Public Relations Bureau at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, in a statement on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

In return, Bulgaria offered the prospect of supplying a number of food commodities for the Indonesian market, including milk, beef, maize and wheat flour. Bulgaria also expressed its readiness to promote investment and technology transfer in the agriculture and food sectors.

Both countries see the trade cooperation as mutually beneficial. Indonesia can serve as a gateway for Bulgarian products to the Southeast Asian market, while Bulgaria offers strategic access for Indonesian products to Europe.

“Follow-up cooperation will be pursued through technical discussions covering trade, investment, food security, agricultural technology, food processing, halal certification and food supply chain development,” said Gunawan.