Crisis Funding, Bulgarian Farmers Face Choice Between Low Yields and High Prices, Caretaker Agriculture Minister Hristanov Says

Speaking at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg, Bulgarian caretaker Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Hristanov warned that without immediate crisis funding, Bulgarian farmers face difficult choices between maintaining yields and managing rising prices. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, a primary challenge for EU producers stems from the escalating costs of fertilizers and fuels, exacerbated by geopolitical conflicts. In Bulgaria, diesel fuel prices rose by about 37% between February and early April, while mineral fertilizers increased by roughly 30%.

These cost hikes coincide with the crucial spring sowing period, thereby increasing production expenses and undermining the competitiveness of Bulgarian agriculture. Hristanov also addressed the dairy sector, noting that domestic milk purchase prices have dropped to EUR 0.27 despite increasing operational costs. Bulgaria advocates for utilizing the full spectrum of instruments available under the Common Market Organisation, including the agricultural reserve and temporary voluntary production reduction measures.

The Bulgarian stance emphasizes that unused funds from Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) interventions should be readily available for emergency support during production cost shocks, requiring swift activation. Regarding future CAP parameters, the Minister argued that support reductions should not compromise competitiveness. He contended that proposed thresholds are too low, potentially harming small and medium-sized farmers vital for food security and rural vitality.

Furthermore, Hristanov called for full external convergence of direct payments. On forest management, he stressed the need for integrated, preventive, and localized wildfire prevention methods, incorporating practices like agroforestry and extensive grazing livestock systems.

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