Bulgaria Mulls Options to Bring Fresh Fruit, Vegetables in Retailers

Grekov, as cited by Darik radio, made clear Thursday that the government was hoping to support local production of fruit and vegetables through the measure. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria is seeking options to guarantee supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables to retailers, according to Agriculture Minister Dimitar Grekov.

Grekov, as cited by Darik radio, made clear Thursday that the government was hoping to support local production of fruit and vegetables through the measure.

The press office of the Agriculture Ministry announced that a special ordinance was being prepared to define the concept of "fresh" fruit and vegetables.

The fruit and vegetables are to be produced in a region located 100-150km away from the point of sale. The fresh fruit and vegetables are to are to reach the store no later than 5-6 hours after picking.

Hristo Tsvetanov, Chair of the Bulgarian Association of Agricultural Producers, defined the proposal as the latest zany idea.

He said that there were no quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables after October.

At the same time, he underscored that it was essential to boost local production through subsidies and reducing the administrative burden.

According to reports of the Agriculture Ministry, Bulgarians will be able to choose between three groups of products - organic, fresh, and traditional fruit and vegetables.

The Ministry informs that similar rules are in force in France.

The Agriculture Ministry claimed that bringing more local products into retailers was a way to cope with the low purchasing prices.

The Association for Modern Trade, which brings together most retailers operating in Bulgaria, declared that they had never discussed such a measure nor seen such a proposal.

The Association noted that although fresh products were higher-quality products, they were more expensive, and it was unclear whether there would be sufficient demand for such goods.

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