Our team is heading to Turkey to check there are serious differences in the prices of basic products and medicines here and in our country. Karclareli is located only 40 kilometers from the border with Malko Tarnovo and one of the most preferred market towns by Bulgarians.
In the streets at every corner the locals offer cherries.
A kilogram of cherries is 70 Turkish lira, which is about BGN 3.91. Smaller cherries are 50 Turkish lira each, and large ones are 70.
If we calculate, the kilogram comes out to about BGN 3.90, and in our country they are sold for almost BGN more. The prices of most fruits and vegetables are also cheaper. For example, a kilogram of tomatoes is BGN 1.30, a difference of nearly BGN 2.30.
„Some things are very cheap and others are more expensive. Realistically what it used to be 8-9 months ago - super cheap here is no longer the case. Much more expensive. Especially their meats are very expensive, dairy products, some of them. We come for the walk, to meet here with our friends, to eat something. In the market, we like their bakery products the most, some vegetables, sweets, basically that, says Rauf Sabah.
One of the most visited shops by Bulgarians mainly buys olive oil and olives.
Many of the merchants lure customers with inscriptions in Bulgarian, and the sellers are ready for all sorts of tricks to sell their goods.
„We reduce prices for Bulgarians, we do promotions. For example, I give 5 liters of extra virgin olive oil for 1200 Turkish liras. With us, customers can try our products on the spot to choose what to buy,” says Borak Arslan – merchant.
Apart from groceries, many Bulgarians travel mainly for medicine.
The most sought-after medicine is for flu and colds, which is almost three times cheaper than in our country.
„They say that the products in Turkey for diabetes are of better quality, people immediately regulate their sugar. There is a lot of interest in them. Otherwise, I know that there are ordinary models in Bulgaria, but the combined ones are missing. They are looking for ointments and tablets for arthritis and joint pain, and we sell quite a lot against fungi.
There is still no increase in medicines, but we expect another percentage increase after July, maybe then if the Turkish lira loses its value again, the prices will be more or less the same as the Bulgarian lev“, explained pharmacist Arkmen Sahin.
Bulgarians also show serious interest in various types of nutritional supplements and vitamins that cannot be found in our country.