Bulgarian fruit growers face crisis due to low prices and high costs

Fruit producers in Northeastern Bulgaria are facing significant economic challenges as a bountiful harvest meets declining market demand and rising production costs. Many growers report that wholesale prices have fallen below the cost of production, leading some to leave fruit unharvested to rot in orchards.

At the Central Cooperative Market in Ruse, officials note that while nominal prices appear stable compared to last year, the shift to euro-based pricing effectively represents a doubling of costs for producers. High expenses for cultivation and labor have squeezed profit margins, forcing some families to work without hired help to remain viable.

Industry representatives, including Nikolay Koleva of the Union of Danube Fruit Growers, identify heavy imports and a lack of domestic processing facilities as primary drivers of the crisis. The competition from foreign produce is reportedly suppressing local prices, prompting some farmers to consider abandoning the sector entirely.