Browse Data and Analysis

In marketing year (MY) 2020/21, Bulgaria’s total fresh deciduous fruit crop declined sharply by 15 percent due to adverse climate conditions. Apple production decreased by 13 percent from MY 2019/20, as unfavorable weather conditions reduced area...

Hungary is one of the strongest opponents of agricultural biotechnology in the European Union. Maintaining the country’s GE-free status is still a government priority.

Hungary regained its avian influenza free status on June 10, 2021, but the disease is now back in the country.

The steady growth of the tree nuts market in Bulgaria was interrupted in marketing year (MY) 2020/21 due to the pandemic and related economic challenges, such as the weaker tourist season and the closure of food service industry outlets during several lockdowns.

The Government of Bulgaria (GOB) continues to oppose agricultural biotechnology and supports anti-biotech policy initiatives within the European Commission (EC).

FAS Sofia adjusts upwards Bulgarian rapeseed production in marketing (MY) 2021/22 to 376,000 metric tons (MT), 35 percent higher than in the previous season, as per the final harvest results.

The Bulgarian dairy industry developed successfully and made good progress in 2020. The total dairy herd increased by six percent, cow milk production grew by more than seven percent, and milk collection and processing also expanded.

FAS Sofia increases its estimate for wheat and barley crops to 7.2 million metric tons (MMT) and 700,000 MT, respectively, due to favorable spring weather leading to record yields.

In 2020 and 2021, Bulgaria made significant progress in the recovery of the national swine herd after African swine fever (ASF) hit the country in 2019.

Bulgarian rapeseed production is forecast to rebound in MY 2021/22. As of mid-July, the rapeseed harvest was 46 percent complete with reported yields exceeding earlier estimates and production projected to reach up to 360,000 MT.

Bulgaria’s poultry sector had a challenging year in MY 2020, with its continuous growth interrupted for the first time in ten years.

Food service sales at restaurants and hotels dropped significantly following COVID-related closures and Post does not expect full recovery before 2023.