Bulgaria to revise dairy regulations and provide 170 million euro agricultural aid

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food is preparing to revise dairy product regulations to clearly distinguish authentic dairy products from imitations. While European standards prevent a total ban on imitation products, the new rules will focus on strict labeling and safety guarantees. A key proposal includes limiting the water content in cheese to 58% to improve product quality. The draft changes are expected to be ready for public discussion by December 31.

In addition to regulatory changes, the government has allocated 170 million euros in the 2026 budget to support agricultural producers. This financial aid aims to mitigate rising costs, with 100 million euros designated to compensate approximately 14,000 farmers for fuel price differences and 70 million euros allocated for fertilizer costs.

Regarding grain production, officials report a good harvest and stable prices. To optimize export costs, the Ministry of Agriculture is collaborating with the Ministry of Transport to modernize railway traffic, particularly in Northern Bulgaria. Furthermore, the ‘Care Basket’ initiative, joined by 14 retail chains, continues to work toward making essential food items more affordable for consumers.