Bulgaria: Preliminary Assessment of COVID 19 on Bulgarian Food and Agriculture

Bulgaria’s hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) sectors were severely affected by COVID-19 and subsequent business closures. Border clearances for imported food and feed products are functioning normally. To date, grain and oilseeds farmers remain fully engaged and viable. Retail sales for staple products remain robust, while sales of high-value products are lower. Food retail prices are relatively stable, but hinge on smooth supply chain operations. Unemployment rates jumped sharply due to COVID-19, with some estimates predicting that as many as 1 million people will be out of work (Bulgaria’s total population is about 7 million).

Bulgaria: Preliminary Assessment of COVID 19 on Bulgarian Food and Agriculture