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Vine growers in Bulgaria face bankruptcy

| updated on 3/24/22 7:10 PM
The National Association of Bulgarian Vine-growers protest in front of the Ministry of Agriculture on March 24, 2022.
Photo: BGNES

The lack of adequate government policy to support Bulgarian viticulture forced the representatives of the industry to protest today in front of the Ministry of Agriculture in Sofia. 

After several fruitless regional protests, the National Association of Vine Growers in Bulgaria came out in protest demanding a strong commitment from the state. According to the association's chairman, Petyo Boshnakov, Bulgaria is on the tail of the EU in terms of subsidising viticulture. Bulgarian wine growers receive 13.50 euros per hectare per year (1 hectare - 2.47105 acres), while in other countries subsidies reach 200-300 euros per hectare.

Vine growers are unable to cope with the pressure of the price increase and are expecting to receive at least the aid promised under the COVID-19 measure, said Boshnakov adding that the minimum subsidy of 30% granted to them is woefully inadequate to cover their costs.

During the protest, representatives of the wine-making sector were invited to a meeting with Deputy Minister of Agriculture Stefan Burdzhev, with whom they discussed possible ways to support the industry in the short term.

The two sides agreed to consider possibilities for support under the Covid-19 support measure. The possible subsidies that will be provided with the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 were also discussed.



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