site.btaPredictability Is Key in Applying Measures Linked to Mideast Crisis Impact on Bulgaria, PM Says

Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said predictability and a clear time horizon are essential in applying measures related to the impact of the Middle East crisis on Bulgaria. He was speaking at a meeting of the task force monitoring and controlling the prices of goods and fuels in response to the conflict, the government information service said.

Measures will be activated depending on developments in the Middle East, Gurov added. He said Bulgaria continues to have some of the lowest fuel prices in the EU and there has been no dramatic change in the competitiveness of Bulgarian hauliers.

The National Revenue Agency has inspected 1,000 out of a total of 3,900 petrol stations across the country. It found that retail fuel prices are rising more slowly than wholesale prices, with part of the burden being absorbed by the petrol stations themselves.

According to data from Eurostat and the National Statistical Institute, cited by Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski, inflation in March 2026 stood at 2.6% year-on-year, while the monthly increase compared with February was 0.5%, in line with the eurozone average.

The Economy and Industry Ministry said it is working on a scheme to defer leasing instalments for companies, mainly in the transport sector, through the Bulgarian Export Insurance Agency. A notification has also been submitted for the promised state aid for hauliers via toll charges.

The Transport Ministry is developing measures to ensure school bus services until the end of the school year, as well as to maintain transport in smaller settlements.

Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Hristanov said the prices of bread and bakery products are not expected to increase in the next three months. There are no grounds for a rise in dairy prices either. For fruits and vegetables, prices are expected to start declining within two to three weeks.

The task force continues to develop targeted measures to support citizens and businesses, while monitoring for unfair market behaviour that could affect consumers.

On March 27, the caretaker government unveiled a package of measures worth around EUR 100 million in response to the impact of the Middle East crisis on individuals and businesses.