site.btaSystem for Agro-Market Information: Green Beans Jump 21%, Fresh Potatoes Fall for Third Week

Green beans rose by 21%, while fresh potatoes and peppers fell for a third week in a row, System for Agro-Market Information (SAPI) data provided to BTA showed on Monday. The figures cover Bulgaria’s 28 regions in the week to May 7, excluding promotional prices.

The steepest price rise in the reference period was for green beans, up 21% to EUR 4.25/kg. Green beans entered the market for the first time this season amid strong demand and limited supply. SAPI noted that this was a typical start for a new product and that the price was expected to fall in each of the following weeks as the harvest grew.

Lettuce was offered at EUR 1.37 per item, a 12% increase. Leafy vegetables became more expensive for a fifth consecutive week, as demand grew faster than supply during the shift from greenhouse to field production.

Greenhouse cucumbers rose by 5% to EUR 3.15/kg. SAPI said this followed three weeks of decline and described it as a local phenomenon, with supply down in some regions while field cucumbers had not yet entered the market in large quantities.

Cabbage was offered at EUR 1.17/kg, up 4%. The winter variety was depleted, while the spring crop was still at an early stage. The price was expected to move downwards in two to three weeks.

Leeks and celery leaves traded at EUR 0.52 and EUR 0.57 per item, respectively, each up 4%. Spring seasoning vegetables remained in demand. SAPI noted that the movement was moderate and did not significantly affect household budgets.

The biggest price drop was for fresh potatoes, down 12% to EUR 3.40/kg. This was the third consecutive week of decline, from EUR 5.63/kg in mid-April to EUR 3.40/kg now, a fall of 40% in three weeks.

Pickled vegetables were offered at EUR 4.13/kg, down 10% after the Easter peak, as the market normalized. Green peppers also fell for a third consecutive week, trading 6% lower at EUR 4.40/kg. Cauliflower was down 5% to EUR 3.04/kg. Tipov US bread sold for EUR 1.80/kg, also 5% lower. Courgettes fell by 4% to EUR 2.48/kg, continuing a gradual decline from EUR 4.06/kg in week 16.

The cheapest regions in the reference period were Shumen, Razgrad, Sliven, Yambol and Burgas, where the combined consumer basket of eight basic products was around EUR 20.38. Razgrad and Shumen were among the cheapest regions for an eighth consecutive week.

The most expensive regions were Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Smolyan, Pleven and Veliko Tarnovo, where the same basket cost around EUR 38.26. The difference with the cheapest regions was significant, not because the products were better, but because the supply chain was longer and shop turnover was lower.

Tomatoes cost EUR 2.85/kg in Ruse and Targovishte, and EUR 3.92/kg in Sofia, Pernik and Sofia Region. SAPI found that the same tomatoes were 37% more expensive solely because of logistics and the number of intermediaries.

Basic goods remained stable compared with the previous week. The prices of white bread, at EUR 1.53/kg, type 500 flour, at EUR 0.99/kg, cooking oil, at EUR 2.02/kg, size M eggs, at EUR 0.29 per item, size L eggs, at EUR 0.31 per item, chilled chicken, at EUR 4.37/kg, bottled fresh milk, at EUR 1.81/litre, and 400 g yoghurt, at EUR 0.80 per item, were unchanged.

Sugar fell by 1% to EUR 1.25/kg, salt by 2% to EUR 0.55/kg, and potatoes by 1% to EUR 0.91/kg. Lamb was unchanged at EUR 16.29/kg, while boneless pork leg became 1% cheaper at EUR 6.56/kg.

SAPI found that 65% of all monitored products were unchanged during the week.

The data showed that spring was working in consumers’ favour. Fresh potatoes were 40% cheaper than in mid-April. Courgettes were 39% cheaper, while aubergines were 3% cheaper during the week and more than 30% cheaper than at the Easter peak. Seasonal production remained consumers’ strongest tool against price pressure. Green beans were expensive at the moment, and for that reason were expected to become cheaper. The 21% rise during the week was a signal that the season had begun, not a structural problem.

The basic basket remained protected. Bread, eggs, milk, cooking oil, chicken and potatoes showed no worrying trend.

The regional gap was larger than inflation. Consumers shopping in Plovdiv or Pazardzhik paid more than those in Shumen and Razgrad for an identical basket. SAPI advised consumers to compare prices before buying, especially when making larger purchases.

Consumers were advised that this was the time to buy vegetables. Cucumbers, peppers, courgettes, aubergines, cauliflower and fresh potatoes were all on a downward price trend, making larger purchases sensible while the trend continued.

Consumers were also advised to wait before buying cabbage and green beans. Their price increases were seasonal and temporary, and the next two to three weeks were expected to bring a correction.

SAPI also advised consumers to distinguish temporary factors from structural ones. Lamb had been stable for a third week after the Easter peak. It was structurally expensive, but was no longer rising. Imported grapes were expensive because they were out of season, which was normal and not a sign of manipulation.