site.btaRain Delays Bulgaria's Cherry Harvest

The almost daily rains for several weeks have delayed the ripening of the cherries in the Kyustendil Region, which is Bulgaria's largest producer of this fruit, with around 1,700 ha of orchards in 2022. In a good year, the registered cherry output is some 7,000 tonnes in the region, out of 37,000 tonnes countrywide, according to 2017 figures.

More rain is expected in the next couple of weeks, and the moisture is cracking the drupes, as a result of which the quality of the produce deteriorates at a time when the most delicious local variety is supposed to be ready for picking, producers say.

The principal purchaser in the area, Italian businessman Michele Mastropasqua, has yet to start the cherry purchasing campaign, which is a couple of weeks late this year. 

Purchasing is currently limited to small quantities that growers themselves bring. They are paid BGN 1/kg. Purchasing stations are expected to be open over the weekend, when the campaign proper will start.

Kiril Dimitrov, who owns a 10 ha cherry orchard near Dupnitsa, pays his pickers BGN 0.70/kg and sells his produce at BGN 1/kg. He is forced to accept this price because the fruits are perishable. "Both pickers and traders stand to gain while nothing is left for us," he complains. The margin does not cover the BGN 10,000 he pays for plant protection and the cost of transporting the produce to the purchaser. He will further reduce his plantation this year to spare him the trouble.

If the rains stop, Dimitrov hopes to be able to sell a dozen tonnes of the late varieties for fresh consumption at BGN 2/kg, so as to offset his costs at least to a certain extent. So far he has marketed just 3.5 tonnes of his produce.

Until several years ago, he produced some 100 tonnes of cherries, and now this quantity has dwindled to 40-50 tonnes. The producer believes that cherry growing in the area is doomed and will disappear within five years unless the State urgently intervenes and a canning enterprise is built. Dimitrov recalls that there used to be eight enterprises processing fruits and vegetables, which made it possible to utilize the produce 100%. Now most fruits are left unharvested. In his orchard alone, some 30 tonnes of cherries remained unpicked last year.

The producer says that local growers stand no chance on the market against competition from cherries imported from Greece because Greek producers are generously subsidized by EU funds and can afford to offer their merchandise almost free.

Locally grown cherries are sold at BGN 3-4/kg on the market in Kyustendil. Growers also offer a small part of their produce at roadside stalls.

The 24 Chasa daily reported on June 9 that this year, too, police will be guarding the cherry orchards in the Kyustendil area against theft. Heavier police presence will be phased in, and the operation will be coordinated with the local authorities. The law enforcers will make sure that no picking takes place after 8 p.m. and that the purchasing stations keep their business hours. Road blocks will be set up in the cherry growing area, and the smaller settlements will be patrolled so as to prevent attempts at stealing the produce.

A local police chief was quoted as saying that the effort is producing results as no thefts or other offences were admitted last year. A total of 985 cars and 1,125 individuals were checked in 2023, and 125 written statements on road traffic violations were drawn up.