Bulgaria to begin agricultural payments on October 20

Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Plamen Abrovski announced that payments to agricultural producers for the 2026 campaign will begin on October 20. An indicative schedule for these upcoming payments has been prepared and is expected to be published on the State Fund Agriculture website next week.

By the end of October, advance payments for coupled support will be transferred to fruit and vegetable producers. The State Fund Agriculture intends to complete payments for over 40 interventions by the end of this year.

To improve sector sustainability, the Minister highlighted the importance of irrigation infrastructure. Under the Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Rural Development 2023-2027, 35 projects for modernizing irrigation infrastructure have been approved, aiming to enable irrigation for an additional 400,000 decares. Eight of these projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Additionally, work is underway on a new law regarding cooperation to encourage the voluntary grouping of producers and strengthen their negotiating positions.