Bulgarian canned food producers are taking part in Riga Food 2024, a major Baltic food industry event in the capital of Latvia between September 5 and 7, the Bulgarian Traditional Canned Food Association (BTCFA) said. The BTCFA has organized the Bulgarian participation in the event in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and State Fund Agriculture.
Over 420 companies from more than 30 countries are presenting their innovations, production technologies and new products in the food industry during Riga Food. Bulgaria, along with Latvia, Lithuania, Armenia, Canada, Georgia, Mexico, Moldova, Italy, Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine, has a national booth at the fair.
The Bulgarian booth features five BTCFA member companies: Balkan Agricultural, Deroni, Fructo Sliven, Harvesta, and Bulgarian Wild Mushrooms. They present typically Bulgarian products. The event offers a chance for food makers to discuss possible cooperation and discover new tastes, BTCFA President Dimitar Angelinov said.
BTCFA Organizational Secretary Antoaneta Bozhinova sees a potential for Bulgaria to expand its share in the canned fruit and vegetable market in the Baltic region.
Almost 60 events will be held on the sidelines of the fair, including food quality competitions, cooking contests, discussions, information seminars, presentations and tasting sessions. Riga Food offers a special stage for innovations and new tastes developed by companies and scientists. Visitors can taste sour cabbage chips and lemonade from sour cucumbers, decaffeinated coffee from acorn and dandelion, buckwheat crackers, chocolate with pumpkin seeds, vegan gluten-free dumplings, and even eco-ceramics from bran, oysters and glacier water.
In a series of discussions on current trends under the common title "Innovation Craze", renowned food experts are speaking about various problems and necessary improvements related to food production and consumption. Special sideline events are dedicated to nutrition labelling, gluten-free foods, alternative protein sources, packaging, food waste and "forgotten foods". Competitions for chefs, apprentice cooks, confectioners, mixologists, waiters and cake bakers are also on the programme of Riga Food.