From data provided by Department of Agroecology of Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Bulgaria, Valentina Agapieva at Agricultural University of Plovdiv has traced trends of organic farming development in the country during the period from 2003 to 2013.The total areas under organic agriculture method increased from 8,364 hectares in 2003 to 56,287 ha in 2013.
Bulgaria is the largest producer of organic rose oil in the world, one of the largest exporters of organic cucumbers in Europe, second in the EU by the size of certified organic properties for collection of wild fruits, herbs and mushrooms, and fourth in the EU in the number of certified organic bee colonies. Among organic crops, there are interesting productions of tomatoes, pepper and cucumbers as vegetable crops, and of apple and peaches as fruit crop.
The main reason for the changes in organic farming is not only overproduction of subsidized crops, but also increased sensitivity of European countries to protect the environment and the biodiversity.
Agapieva concludes: "Organic farming in Bulgaria is at an early stage but with great potential for development; the rapid development of organic agriculture in the last 20 years, driven by the pressure of the market forces and increased consumer demand, prompted organic farmers in Bulgaria to seek alternatives to conventional farming. Finally there are clearly identified and outlined positive trends of increasing the number of organic operators and organic farming areas."
Source: Valentina Agapieva, 'Trends in the development of organic farming in Bulgaria', Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, Vol. 15, Issue 2, 2015. PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, E-ISSN 2285 – 3952.
Contacts:
Valentina Agapieva
Agricultural University – Plovdiv, Department of Management and Marketing
Plovdiv 4000, 12 Mendeleev
Blvd, Plovdiv - Bulgaria
Ph.: +35932654435
Email: vagapieva@au-plovdiv.bg