Bulgaria's Rose Production Declines over 'Inadequate Subsidies'

Bulgarian rose farmers have demanded higher state subsidies. Photo by BGNES

Bulgarian rose producers are to meet with the Agriculture Minister in order to discuss the state subsidies that they receive.

Farmers from the towns of Kazanlak and Karlovo growing the so called “Bulgarian roses” for the production of rose oil for perfumes have warned that the amount of land planted with roses is on the decrease, the Pari Daily reported.

They have complained that the government has adopted a hands-off policy with respect to the rose production sector, which leaves the rose growers at the mercy of the processing companies.

A kilogram of rose leaves is bought for BGN 1.2-1.3 from the farmers, who spend over BGN 100 per decare planted with roses. The state subsidy is BGN 22, which, according to the farmers, is suitable for the grain producers but not for the rose plantations, which are much smaller in size.

In 2010, Bulgarian rose oil refineries sell their rose oil to companies in France and the USA for about EUR 4 000 per kilogram; down from the EUR 5 000 last year.

Bulgarian rose oil is about BGN 1 000 more expensive than the oil produced in Turkey because of its unique qualities.

On Saturday, Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov said he would invite US pop star Jessica Simpson to participate in annual rose harvest celebrations.

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