Bulgaria Consumer Protection Commission targets food price markups

Maya Manolova, head of the Bulgarian Commission for Consumer Protection (CPC), has announced a crackdown on unjustified price increases for essential goods. The commission plans to impose fines ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 euros for every individual item where price hikes cannot be economically justified by rising supply costs.

Recent data from the CPC indicates significant markups on food products, with dairy items showing increases of up to 141%. Manolova noted that some citizens reported even higher markups, reaching up to 240% for products like butter. These figures contrast sharply with European averages, where markups typically range between 15% and 25%.

In addition to food retailers, the CPC will expand its inspections to include pharmacies, banks, mobile operators, and small local shops. The agency aims to address consumer grievances regarding deceptive promotions, misleading information about product origins, and the rising cost of living relative to stagnant incomes.