site.btaNo Unusual Fluctuations in Wholesale Food Prices in Bulgaria, Says Wholesale Markets State Commission

There have been no unusual fluctuations in wholesale food prices, said Vladimir Ivanov, Chair of the State Commission for Commodity Exchanges and Wholesale Markets (CEWMSC), at a briefing here on Monday. "There was a crisis in some fruit prices, sand we can say that this will be the year of expensive fruit. However, we expect normal prices for apples and peaches and a good supply of watermelons," he noted.

According to him, Bulgaria has a very competitive market, but citizens have to actively participate in it through their choices. “The euro will not hurt our market, its adoption will only lower the transfer costs for traders and this could lead to conditions for prices to fall,” he said. "We have a very good competitive market because we are members of the EU. Our country has a huge potential to produce goods, and we should use it. We lack producer organisations to organise the trade and export of goods," Ivanov argued.

"As consumers, we can influence the market and not buy goods that are expensive. We need to have a sensible market behaviour. Cucumbers in Sofia, for example, can be bought for between BGN 2  and 7 at retail price, but that does not mean we should pay the expensive price and buy from our nearest shop. When we see that mineral water in shops is traded between BGN 0.80 and BGN 1.19 per bottle, we can buy the cheaper one," Ivanov said.

He pointed out that the role of the State is to make sure that traders pay all taxes and comply with the law. According to him, all State bodies are now working as hard as possible to ensure there are no market distortions.