“Cooperation is the key to stronger Bulgarian production. Associations give farmers larger volumes, lower costs and better access to the market“. This was said by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Georgi Tahov during the public consultations on the food market held today, organized by the Commission for the Protection of Competition. He announced that at present there are 68 recognized groups and organizations of producers, mainly in the sensitive sectors “Fruits and vegetables“ and “Milk“. Minister Tahov specified that the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027 provides financial incentives, sets priorities and information campaigns.
According to him, the interim sectoral analysis provides a clear picture of the challenges along the supply chain - from the producer to the trader. “This is an important basis for finding sustainable solutions and restoring the normal competitive environment”, Tahov also pointed out. He emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food supports an open dialogue with all participants in the chain, because only through cooperation and development of short supply chains, national quality standards and effective control can fair conditions be achieved for both producers and traders and consumers.
In conclusion, the Minister of Agriculture said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food remains ready to support any initiative that leads to stronger Bulgarian producers, a stable supply chain and protection of consumer interests.
The event was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Rosen Zhelyazkov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosen Karadimov, Chairman of the Commission for Protection of Competition, Deputy Minister of Economy Doncho Barbalov, Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva, Delyana Ivanova from the Supervisory Board of the “Bulgarian Development Bank“, Nikolay Valkanov from the “Association for Modern Trade“, Georgi Dimov, Director of the Agency “Customs“, Vladimir Ivanov, Chairman of the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets, representatives of all employer and branch organizations from production, processing and trade, as well as other officials.