For years, agricultural producers in our country have been warning that domestic production is on the verge of survival. Statistical data confirm their fears - imports of fruits and vegetables are significantly higher than exports, and Bulgarian production is increasingly rare in reaching foreign markets. At the same time, fruits and vegetables from abroad are sold in large quantities in our markets and markets.
This was pointed out by "Nova TV".
The problem is particularly visible in the Kyustendil region - traditionally considered the cherry orchard of Bulgaria. With the onset of summer, cherries from Greece and Turkey often appear on the stalls, while local production remains unsold.
Producers say that they cannot compete with cheap imports. The costs of picking often exceed the purchase price, which forces many farmers to leave the fruit unpicked. Some of them lose dozens of tons of production annually because the sale is at a loss.
According to fruit growers, the early cherries that are sold as “Kyustendilski“ are in most cases imported and cannot be compared in taste and quality with Bulgarian ones. Exports also remain almost unattainable for small and medium-sized producers due to the lack of refrigeration facilities, specialized equipment and the ability to form large batches that meet the requirements of foreign markets.
The situation is similar with apples, where imports come not only from neighboring countries, but also from other continents. Producers do not find economic logic in this, given that the climate in our country allows for production of higher quality, both in taste and visual appearance.
All this puts Bulgarian fruit growers in a dead end. As a possible solution, they point to limiting or banning imports during periods of active harvest in order to give priority to domestic production.
After the zero cherry harvest last year and the accumulated losses, many farmers in the Kyustendil region are already starting to reduce their plantings. According to them, if the trend continues, the region risks losing its status as Bulgaria's orchard.
Farmers warn that without a clear state policy and support for the sector, Bulgarian agriculture will continue to shrink, and this will inevitably affect both the economy and the quality of life in the country.