Bulgaria is preparing to switch to the euro, while fresh produce markets show mixed price trends and state inspections reveal signs of unjustified increases.
Ahead of Bulgaria's planned euro adoption, concerns over market speculation are growing. The National Revenue Agency, Consumer Protection Commission, and Competition Protection Commission launched joint inspections that found price increases from 5% to 83% for some basic goods.
Despite fears of inflation, recent data from the State Commission for Commodity Exchanges and Markets shows that most fruits and vegetables became cheaper in the last week of June, with a few exceptions.
Vegetable prices on wholesale markets:
- Green pepper increased by 15.3% to 2.70 BGN per kilogram (1.38 euro)
- Red pepper increased by 0.5% to 2.97 BGN (1.52 euro)
- Potatoes increased by 2.6% to 1.17 BGN (0.60 euro)
- Fresh potatoes decreased by 8.1% to 1.07 BGN (0.55 euro)
- Cucumbers decreased by 4.2% to 1.60 BGN (0.82 euro)
- Tomatoes decreased by 2.5% to 2.22 BGN (1.14 euro)
- Carrots decreased by 6% to 1.28 BGN (0.66 euro)
- Cabbage decreased by 5.9% to 1.05 BGN (0.54 euro)
- Mature onions decreased by 8% to 1.08 BGN (0.55 euro)
Fruit prices:
- Apricots decreased by 15% to 3.32 BGN (1.70 euro)
- Strawberries decreased by 11% to 4.22 BGN (2.15 euro)
- Apples decreased by 7% to 2.31 BGN (1.18 euro)
- Lemons decreased by 1.8% to 3.24 BGN (1.65 euro)
- Sweet cherries increased by 1.5% to 9.64 BGN (4.91 euro)
According to Commission chairman Vladimir Ivanov, 2025 will be a year of expensive fruit. Sweet cherry prices have risen more than 180% year-on-year, while cabbage and apricots are up by 50% and 40% respectively. However, stable prices are expected for apples, peaches, and watermelons.
Ivanov further stated that the adoption of the euro could create space for price stability and reduce the costs of traders.
Source: bourgas.ru
