In recent weeks, there has been a drastic increase in the prices of essential goods in retail chains and in all smaller grocery stores. This price shock is a real catastrophe for both the 800,000 pensioners who live below the poverty line and the working poor in Bulgaria, who are unable to cover their basic food and living expenses. This is stated in a joint position by the Movement “The System is Killing Us“, the Federation of Consumers in Bulgaria and the United Pensioners' Unions.
Here is what else they say:
Bulgaria is the poorest country in the European Union, with the standard of living in our country being lower than in some countries in the Western Balkans that are not members of the European Union.
It is even more outrageous that the prices of butter, milk, cheese, meat and sausages in foreign retail chains are higher in their Bulgarian branches than in their own countries, where the standard of living is incomparable to ours.
And why does the same product, in the same retail chain, have a higher price in Bulgaria than in countries in Western Europe, specifically in Austria and Germany?
Therefore, we call on Bulgarian citizens:
To On February 13, we declare a nationwide boycott of all grocery stores in Bulgaria!
Let us follow the example of the Croatians, who have already held such a boycott and it led to an immediate reduction in the prices of many food products.
On February 13 (Thursday), 2025, Bulgarian consumers should not shop in any grocery store, in any retail chain, in any supermarket!
On February 13, grocery stores should remain empty and there should not be a single buyer in them.
On February 13, let us show the merchants that there is an angry civil society in Bulgaria that will no longer tolerate price arbitrariness, you are turning millions of Bulgarians into a “second category“ Europeans.
Calling for a mass civil protest, we also address the government of the Republic of Bulgaria with a request that has already been satisfied by the Croatian government:
The Bulgarian government to approve a list of 70 basic food products, the prices of which should be set at a “ceiling“.
For comparison, here is what the Croatian government decided after the boycott in Croatia: The highest level of retail prices for sunflower oil is 1.72 euros per liter, fresh milk with 2.8% fat content - 1.03 euros/liter, sugar - 1.33 euros/kg., flour - 0.80 euros/kg., minced pork - 4.11 euros/kg., chicken - 3.32 euros/kg., yogurt - 0.49 euros per bucket, rice - 2.29 euros/kg., 10 eggs - 2.45 euros, boneless pork neck - 5.49 euros/kg., etc.
If we compare salaries and pensions in Bulgaria and Croatia, we will find something extremely disturbing - in Bulgaria the prices of these essential goods are higher, and salaries and pensions - lower.
On February 13th, the first boycott of Bulgarian consumers took place. This is just the beginning of the civil revolt against the price terror of traders.
We call on the Bulgarian electronic media, which broadcast expensive advertisements for foreign retail chains every day, not to censor the call for a boycott and give a platform to protesting citizens.
For God's sake, brothers and sisters, boycott and do not buy anything on Thursday, February 13, 2025!