Bulgaria: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual
In marketing year (MY) 2017/18, Bulgarian pear production increased by 42 percent. Table grape production also increased by 42 percent due to favorable weather conditions. Apple production was stagnant. Assuming normal weather, prospects for MY 2018/19 are favorable and Post expects pear, table grape and apple production to increase. Consumer demand continues to exceed local production, but price sensitivities remain. Apple and table grape imports declined in MY 2017/18 due to higher international prices. Conversely, a 40-percent increase in fresh-pear consumption led pear imports to grow sharply. Post expects apple and tablegrape imports in MY 2018/19 to rebound. Pear consumption growth is forecast to be more moderate.
