Bulgaria Renews Cherry Exports to Russia

Following a 25-year break, Bulgarian cherries are returning to the Russian market.

The first cherry-laden TIR trucks are already on their way to major retail chains in Moscow and other big cities in Russia, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Horticultural Union, as cited by farmer.bg.

Bulgaria's cherry exports to Russia are implemented with the support of an EU program for expanding exports to third countries under which Bulgaria is to absorb a total of EUR 2 M over the next three years.

The Bulgarian National Horticultural Union won the project in March 2013 and is to act as an intermediary in the export of Bulgarian cherries to Russia and Norway by 2016, according to Slavi Trifonov, Chair of the Union.

The owners of cherry orchards need to meet certain quality and packaging standards.

The cherries are to be sold in 0.5kg boxes and need to meet the quality standards of the respective country.

The first quantities of Bulgarian cherries will be sold in the Billa chain of supermarkets in Russia.

According to Trifonov, Bulgarian cherries will have much higher price tags in Russia, which will encourage companies to develop on that market.

While a kilogram of cherries sells for BGN 1.20 – 2.50 in Bulgaria, prices in Russia and Europe amount to EUR 5-6 per kg.

The EU program also includes promotion of the goods abroad.

As regards promotion, Bulgarian cherry producers also rely on the one-time popularity of quality Bulgarian fruit on the Russian market.

However, Bulgarian companies are still finding it hard to find their place on the Norwegian market due to intense competition.

According to representatives of the Bulgarian National Horticultural Union, no partnership has yet been sealed with Norwegian chains due to the complex requirements on that market.

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