Consumers in various regions of the country have reported a shock increase in the price of bread in the first days of the new year, BNT reported. In some places the increase exceeds 30 percent.
According to producers, the reason for the new prices is the return of the 20 percent VAT rate for bread and flour. The industry predicts that the price increase will continue due to the increase in electricity and water.
The new bread prices have unpleasantly surprised Plovdiv residents.
In Blagoevgrad region, consumers are also paying more.
In Burgas, a large part of the bakeries and grocery stores also have new prices. The cheapest bread is 2 leva.
According to the Association of Bakers in Burgas, however, the increase in mass bread is only 15 percent.
"These 15% or so are 20 stotinki, so all bakers have added 20 stotinki to the price, if any trader abuses it in any way, he is responsible for this", said Dimitar Lyudiev, chairman of the Association of Bakers and Confectioners in Burgas.
The price increase began a long time ago, says artisan bread maker Georgi Lefterov from Plovdiv.
"The price of bread has been gradually and slowly rising for quite a long time, related to the increase in the price of energy, water, even flour itself, and now VAT", added Georgi Lefterov, artisan bread maker.
In Alexander Fakaliev's bakery from Burgas will have new prices in a few days.
"Between 20% and 30% depending on the products that are used in the material itself. The increase in VAT, but not only that. The increase in costs, the cost price, the salary", commented Alexander Fakaliev, manager of the bakery.
In Ruse, "Dobrudzha" bread is already more expensive by at least 40 stotinki, and producers expect the price to continue to rise.
"Services will increase. Most likely, transportation services, fuels, this is what turns the whole process around, the whole life around us, our everyday life," said Lyubomir Dzekov, a baker from a craft bakery.
People estimate that the increase in bread prices will burden the family budget by between 15 and 25 leva per month.
The price of bread was also commented on in the program "Speak Now" by the chairman of the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets, Vladimir Ivanov.
According to him, bread producers are feeling the market and the opportunity to raise prices.