Министр сельского хозяйства Болгарии назвал программу «Корзина заботы» абсолютным успехом и анонсировал новые меры поддержки аграриев

Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister Plamen Abrovski said the government's "Care Basket" initiative has already helped lower consumer prices, describing the program as "an absolute success" and predicting that its impact will become more visible in the coming months. "Realistically speaking, the 'Care Basket' is an absolute success and it will become apparent in the coming months," Abrovski said in an interview with Nova TV on Monday. He argued that the initiative would become particularly relevant when people return from their summer holidays and begin shopping for the new school year. According to Abrovski, the initiative has attracted significant interest from major retail chains. It initially involved eight chains but has since expanded to 14, which he cited as evidence that retailers see value in the program. "Because we started with eight chains, it became 14. If there was no interest, it is unlikely that so many retail chains would have joined," he said. The minister also pointed to recent statistics showing a decline in consumer prices. He said that "last week, statistics came out that prices for consumers have gone down seriously," while acknowledging that part of the decrease is linked to the seasonal increase in the supply of fruits and vegetables. "With regard to fruits and vegetables, now is the peak and it is completely normal the price will go down," Abrovski said. He did not rule out prices rising again after the seasonal period ends, although he said he did not expect a dramatic increase next month. The "Care Basket" initiative was launched in June 2026 as a joint effort between the government and major retail chains. Authorities said it was intended to reduce the prices of essential food products and hygiene goods, particularly Bulgarian-made products, by between 15% and 30%. The initiative has nevertheless faced criticism. Economists have argued that it has so far had little visible impact on overall food inflation and largely brings existing promotional campaigns by major retailers under a common label. Fruit and vegetable producers have also complained that retailers were putting pressure on them to reduce prices in order to support the initiative. Food prices remain the leading concern in public opinion surveys despite the government's efforts. National Statistical Institute data cited in the discussion showed a 1% monthly decline in the category of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Much of the reduction was attributed to seasonal fruit and vegetable prices. Potatoes fell by 18.9%, peaches and apricots by 18.6%, green beans by 17.1%, other fresh vegetables such as zucchini and eggplant by 15.6%, tomatoes by 11%, peppers by 10%, cabbage by 6.7% and cucumbers by 4.1%. Abrovski also addressed the protest by fruit producers in Sliven, who blocked a road on Monday over low purchase prices and difficulties finding markets for their produce. He said one of the problems facing the local industry was the concentration of processing capacity. "There is one processor there and this is a monopoly. The producers of compotes are tied to this processor. Each producer works for himself," Abrovski said. He argued that Bulgaria had failed to develop sufficient processing capacity alongside investments in agricultural production. "With the opening of the borders after 1989, processes are taking place that no one has controlled. On the one hand, we are starting serious investments in capacities and production, and on the other, we do not control processing and it is lagging behind," he said. The minister announced that the Progressive Bulgaria parliamentary group plans to work on legislation aimed at making agricultural cooperatives functional. He said cooperatives could help smaller producers consolidate their output, improve their market position and address problems that individual farmers cannot solve alone. "Not everyone can handle the market alone. No one has dealt with this for years," Abrovski said. He said discussions on a new cooperatives law would begin with the new parliamentary session and that the government's goal was to have a functioning legal framework by the end of the year. The Agriculture Ministry plans to work with the Fruits and Vegetables branch chamber on developing the model. Abrovski also outlined financial support planned for farmers. Sensitive sectors, including fruits, vegetables and livestock, are expected to receive nearly 45 million euros in emergency assistance. Another measure will provide 85 million euros to producers who have suffered at least a 30% loss of income because of adverse events during this year and last year. The payments are expected at the beginning of January. The minister said the government wanted to structure assistance so that farmers receive support during periods when they face the greatest financial pressure. "We will give them funds in the winter, when they are not working, and in the spring, so that they can purchase the necessary fertilizers and seeds," he said. An additional 35 million euros is planned for crisis support, while the government aims to provide advance payments covering 30% of tied support. Another 170 million euros, described by Abrovski as "Iranian aid," will include 100 million euros for fuel compensation and 70 million euros for fertilizers. The government also has about 300 million euros available for direct payments, alongside standard agricultural payments. Abrovski said the broader goal was to make Bulgarian farmers and their production more competitive.