Green beans have increased in price by 21 percent, fresh potatoes and peppers have become cheaper for the third week in a row, shows the summary report of the regional offices for monitoring consumer prices of the Agricultural Market Information System (SAPI) for the nineteenth week (as of May 7) of 2026, provided to BTA. The data covers the 28 districts in the country, does not include promotional prices, and the deviations are compared to the eighteenth week of 2026.
Products with the largest price increase this week
The reporting period shows the largest increase in price for green beans - by 21 percent and it is traded at 4.25 euros per kilogram. Green beans are entering the market for the first time this season amid strong demand and limited supply. SAPI notes that this is a typical launch for a new product and the price will drop with each passing week as the harvest increases.
The salads are being offered at 1.37 euros per piece, which is a 12 percent increase in price. Leafy vegetables are rising in price for the fifth week in a row, and the reason is that demand is growing faster than supply in the transition from greenhouse to field production.
Greenhouse cucumbers report an increase of 5 percent to 3.15 euros per kilogram, with SAPI indicating that this is happening after three weeks of decline and defining it as a local phenomenon - supply in individual regions has decreased, while field cucumbers have not yet entered en masse.
Cabbage is offered at 1.17 euros per kilogram, which is 4 percent more, as the winter variety is sold out, the spring variety is in its early stages. The price is expected to adjust downwards after 2-3 weeks.
Leeks and celery leaves are traded at 0.52 euros per piece and 0.57 euros per piece, which is an increase of 4 percent each. Spring seasoning vegetables remain in demand. The movement is moderate and does not significantly affect the household budget, noted SAPI.
Products with the largest price drop
The largest drop is in the price of fresh potatoes - by 12 percent and they are sold at 3.40 euros per kilogram. This is the third consecutive week of decline - from 5.63 euros per kilogram in mid-April to 3.40 euros per kilogram now, which is a decrease of 40 percent in three weeks. Pickles are offered for 4.13 euros per kilogram or 10 percent less after the Easter peak, as the market normalizes. For the third consecutive week, the price of green peppers is down, which are traded 6 percent cheaper - at 4.40 euros per kilogram. The price of cauliflower is down by 5 percent, which is offered at 3.04 euros per kilogram. Bread Type US is sold at 1.80 euros per kilogram, or 5 percent less. The price of zucchini falls by 4 percent to 2.48 euros per kilogram, continuing its gradual decline - from 4.06 euros per kilogram in the sixteenth week to 2.48 euros per kilogram now.
Five cheapest regions in the country
The data show that for the reporting period, the cheapest regions in the country are Shumen, Razgrad, Sliven, Yambol and Burgas, with the aggregated consumer basket of eight basic products in these areas hovering around 20.38 euros. Razgrad and Shumen are consistently among the cheapest for the eighth consecutive week.
Five most expensive regions in the country
It is most expensive in Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Smolyan, Pleven and Veliko Tarnovo, with the same basket there costing around 38.26 euros. The difference with the cheapest regions is significant - not because the products are better, but because the supply chain is longer and the turnover in stores is lower.
Tomatoes in Ruse and Targovishte are 2.85 euros per kilogram, and in Sofia, Pernik and Sofia region - 3.92 euros per kilogram, with SAPI reporting that the same tomatoes are 37 percent more expensive just because of logistics and the number of intermediaries.
The main basket
The main goods remain stable compared to last week. The price of white bread remains unchanged - 1.53 euros per kilogram, flour type 500 - 0.99 euros per kilogram, oil - 2.02 euros per kilogram, eggs size M - 0.29 euros per piece, eggs size L - 0.31 euros per piece, chilled chicken - 4.37 euros per kilogram, fresh milk (bottle) - 1.81 euros per liter, yogurt 400 g - 0.80 euros per piece.
The price of sugar is down - by 1 percent to 1.25 euros per kilogram, salt - by 2 percent to 0.55 euros per kilogram, potatoes - by 1 percent to 0.91 euros per kilogram. There is no change in the price of lamb, which is sold at 16.29 euros per kilogram, and boneless pork leg is 1 percent cheaper, to 6.56 euros per kilogram.
SAPI reports that 65 percent of all monitored products are unchanged this week.
What consumers need to know
The data shows that spring is working for us - fresh potatoes are 40 percent cheaper than in mid-April. Zucchini are 39 percent cheaper, eggplants are 3 percent cheaper this week, over 30 percent cheaper than the Easter peak. Seasonal produce is the consumer's strongest tool against price pressure. Green beans are expensive right now and that's exactly why they will fall in price - a 21 percent increase this week is a signal of the start of the season, not a structural problem.
The main basket is protected. Bread, eggs, milk, oil, chicken, potatoes - none of them show a worrying trend.
The regional difference is greater than inflation - if shopping in Plovdiv or Pazardzhik, consumers pay more than those in Shumen and Razgrad for an identical basket, as SAPI advises to compare before buying - especially for larger purchases.
Tips for informed decisions
Now is the time for vegetables. Cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, eggplants, cauliflower and fresh potatoes are in a downward price trend. Buy in larger quantities while it lasts.
Wait for cabbage and green beans. Their price increase is seasonal and temporary - do not buy them at the peak. The next two or three weeks will bring a correction.
Distinguish the temporary from the structural. Lamb is stable for the third week after the Easter peak - structurally expensive, but no longer growing. Imported grapes are expensive because they are out of season - a normal phenomenon, not manipulation.
Check public data. SAPI publishes weekly reports - they are free and publicly available. A consumer armed with data is harder to manipulate.