site.btaGovernmenrt Should Help Farmers with Market Access, Not Only Subsidies, Agriculture Minister Says

In recent years, Bulgaria has lacked a consistent government policy in agriculture, with efforts focused mainly on distributing subsidies, Agriculture Minister Plamen Abrovski said in an interview on Nova TV on Saturday.

According to him, previously state policy has been viewed primarily as financial assistance, without creating the conditions needed for the development and increased competitiveness of Bulgarian producers.

The minister said that a key priority now is the organization and cooperation of small farmers, improving their access to markets, and creating conditions for the sustainable development of the sector. As an example, he pointed to the proposed bill on a mutual assistance fund, which aims to support producers during crises and make access to financing easier.

Abrovski described livestock farming as the most challenging sector in Bulgarian agriculture. According to him, the main problem facing small farmers is not a lack of subsidies, but rather limited opportunities to sell their products. He said the state should help expand market opportunities and increase productivity.

Of the dairy sector, the minister said that high market concentration creates a risk for Bulgarian milk producers, as a large processor could influence the purchase price of raw milk and increase the share of imported raw materials.

Abrovski also drew attention to the sale of imported brined cheese with an appearance similar to that of Bulgarian products. According to him, consumers often find it difficult to identify the origin of food products. For this reason, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is working on introducing clear standards and improved labelling to make it easier to distinguish Bulgarian-produced goods and foods made with Bulgarian milk.

The minister also commented on a Care Basket initiative, which already includes 13 retail chains. According to him, initial analyses show increased consumer interest. Discussions are planned with representatives of the retail chains to expand the list of Bulgarian products and improve opportunities for marketing and selling locally produced goods.