Nine Bulgarian soybean processing companies have signed letters of intent to purchase Nebraska soybeans. Interim State Ag Director Mat Habrock says the deal helps grow demand for Nebraska soybeans and fits the Bulgarians need for high quality protein.

He says relationship building helped spur this deal and creates the opportunity for long term business for Nebraska’s soybean growers.

Habrock says trade is becoming even more critical given the state of the ag economy and the current low commodity prices.

Bulgaria has been a member of the European Union for ten years. The E.U. was Nebraska’s third largest export market for soybeans and soy products in 2015 at $138 million out of a total export value of $1.9 billion.