Sliven fruit producers protest low peach and plum prices

Fruit producers in the Sliven region of Bulgaria staged a protest, briefly blocking the road between Sliven, Nova Zagora, and Stara Zagora. The demonstration was driven by low purchase prices for peaches and plums, which producers claim are below the cost of production.

Farmers reported that while the peach harvest is good, prices for canning peaches are approximately 37 Euro cents per kilogram, while dessert peaches range between 50 and 90 Euro cents. Plum prices have also dropped, currently sitting between 20 and 22 Euro cents. Producers noted that while the costs of fuel, fertilizers, labor, and consumables have increased significantly, purchase prices have remained stagnant for nearly a decade.

The protesters are calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to implement urgent measures, including finding new markets and supporting the creation of a producer cooperative. They specifically highlighted the need for control over a sorting facility previously built by German investors, arguing that returning ownership to the producers would allow for better cooperative management. The Mayor of Sliven expressed support for the farmers, noting that the region is Bulgaria’s largest peach producer.