Bulgarian Milk Prices Decline Amid Rising Production Costs

Milk purchase prices in Bulgaria have been on a downward trend since the beginning of 2025. According to caretaker Agriculture and Food Minister Ivan Hristanov, this trend has persisted into the early months of 2026. The decline in prices is coupled with rising production costs, particularly for electricity and feed, creating significant challenges for local farmers.

Minister Hristanov, speaking at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council session in Brussels, highlighted the difficulties faced by small farms and producers in Bulgaria's less accessible regions. These producers are struggling to sell their milk due to market distortions caused by the entry of low-cost foreign raw materials.

To address these challenges, Hristanov emphasized the need for Europe to utilize all available tools, including reserve funds, to stabilize the market. He advocated for the temporary voluntary reduction of deliveries as a measure to achieve this stabilization. Furthermore, Hristanov stressed the importance of maintaining the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as an independent policy with a real budget to ensure food security and provide predictability for farmers.

He also pointed out the necessity of eliminating disparities between countries, arguing that Bulgarian farmers should not receive less compensation for their work compared to their European counterparts. The Minister called for an end to agreements that do not consider the overall impact on sensitive sectors and insisted on real, effective border controls to ensure the quality and safety of imports.

In discussions about fisheries and aquaculture, Hristanov noted Bulgaria's support for the EU's direction but pointed out domestic challenges, such as outdated vessels and financial constraints. He called for changes to the European fund to provide substantial assistance and emphasized the need for timely payments to support modernization efforts.