Accumulated inflation in Bulgaria for the last five years is 41%, according to the latest data from the National Statistical Institute. The information was confirmed by the Chairman of the NSI, Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atanasov. In the past year alone, the prices of some basic food products have increased by more than 20 percent.
For the period September 2020 - September 2025, the total increase in prices exceeded 41 percent, measured by the consumer price index. The annual inflation for September 2025 reached 5.6 percent. The most dramatic price increase is observed in essential goods, which form the core of the consumer basket.
"The most noticeable price increase over the past year has been observed in coffee, bread and fresh fruit - over 20 percent," reported Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atanasov. The increase in oil and flour is in the order of 10-15 percent, and eggs have risen in price by nearly 10 percent over the past year.
At the Montana market, local residents share their observations of rising prices. Marina Tashkova, who shops for her household, notes that her expenses are already significantly higher. "The cheese I buy was 10 leva, and now it is a little more. And this in just two months. Until the New Year, it is not known how much it will increase in price," she told NOVA.
Other buyers confirm the trend towards a massive price increase. "In general, absolutely everything has gone up. There is nothing that has not gone up in price," they say. According to them, in some cases the prices have doubled.
Valeri Krastev, a baker from Montana, explained that the price of bread has remained relatively stable, but the increase in the value added tax to 20 percent has led to a real increase in price. "Since the beginning of the year, the price of bread has gone up because of the value added tax. In my opinion, there should be no VAT on bread in order to maintain a normal price," Krastev commented.
According to the observations of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions, which monitors the prices of 20 basic food products on a monthly basis, in recent months a clear trend towards a new increase has been observed. "We are observing cheese, milk, yellow cheese - there is an increase. The same goes for chicken, and coffee went up dramatically from June to October. The prices of vegetables out of season are also rising," explains Maria Lazarova, regional coordinator of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions in Montana.
The chairman of the NSI categorically rejected the claims that statistical data are being manipulated or smoothed for political effect. "Not a single number is published without verification by Eurostat. Their missions regularly arrive in our country to check the indicators of inflation, government debt and budget deficit," emphasized Assoc. Prof. Atanasov.
The consumer price index is based on about 860 goods and services, selected to reflect the real costs of Bulgarian households. Although monthly inflation is slowing from its 2022 peaks, the price level remains persistently high.
Experts predict that the accumulated over 40 percent in five years will continue to put pressure on incomes and consumption, especially among low-income households. Despite hopes for market stabilization, people are not optimistic about future price developments.