Market Struggle: Bulgarian Farmers Accuse Retail Chains of Unfair Practices and Squeezing Out Local Produce

Bulgarian agricultural producers are facing serious challenges in marketing their produce within large retail chains. According to Tsvetan Tsekov, chairman of the National Sectoral Chamber 'Fruits and Vegetables', systematic unfair practices are observed in the sector, which place local production at a disadvantage.

One of the main problems pointed out by the chamber is the use of the Bulgarian brand for goods that are actually imported from third countries with lower production costs. This not only undermines trust in local production but also allows retailers to maximize their profits by importing cheaper products, while Bulgarian farmers face difficulties accessing retail outlets.

"Retail chains are conducting a policy where access for Bulgarian producers to their shelves is heavily restricted," Tsekov states. He notes that excuses regarding non-compliance with standards are often used to reject Bulgarian produce, while simultaneously offering imported goods with a lower commercial grade in the stores.

In addition to the issue of origin, the level of retail markups is also critical. The chairman of the chamber emphasized that it is unacceptable for production prices to increase two or three times from the producer's price to the end consumer.

To address these processes, urgent state intervention is needed through legislative changes and stricter sanctions. According to industry representatives, Bulgaria needs a clear policy to protect vulnerable sectors, similar to the mechanisms applied in other European countries, so that the local producer is not completely pushed out of their own market.