Climate Change to Move Bulgaria's Top Grain-Growing Region

Northeastern Bulgaria will no longer be the country's top grain-producing region in 50 years because of the global warming. Photo by BGNES

In 60 years' time, Bulgaria's biggest grain-growing region may move from Dobrudja in the northeast to the fields near Sofia and Kyustendil.

The reason for the dramatic shift will be climate change, according to Associate Professor Valentin Kazandzhiev from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology at the Bulgarian Academy of
Sciences (BAS).

Speaking at a national scientific conference, he explained that Bulgarians were already witnessing changes in the atmospheric circulation, climate changes and global warming.

He said that the already tangible climatic anomalies were characterized by a clear warming trend, a shortening of the winter season and sudden onsets of cold weather.

The scientist predicted that Northeast Bulgaria would see extremes of up to 45°C and -30°C by 2020.

He also said that the annual average temperature in Dobrudja would grow by 1-1.2 °C.

Kazandzhiev explained that extreme temperatures would deprive crops of moisture, thereby damaging wheat production.

The researcher suggested that Dobrudja would lose its popularity as the most suitable place for growing wheat and would become better suited for growing perennials like apples, apricots, pears, plums and peaches.

Kazandhiev also recommended that Bulgaria take advantage of the experience of North European countries like Norway, where wheat is grown under irrigation conditions.

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