The media appearances of the heads of the CPC, CZP and NRA are having the opposite effect.
This was commented to the Bulgarian National Radio by the former acting Minister of Economy Nikola Stoyanov.
"The legal framework does not allow them to fine someone for setting higher prices. And so, by participating in the media, the feeling remains that some traders are raising prices and those who have not raised them are telling themselves that they are lagging behind and they should also raise prices".
It is already late, a lot of time has been lost, it was expected with the introduction of the euro that there would be attempts to increase prices and the institutions should have been prepared, he believes:
"The legislation that would give these institutions the tools to cope is not ready. ... In this situation, where things are completely out of whack, the only thing that can support consumers is that in the end the market will balance prices. Because prices have risen a lot and there is no way around it, because consumption will decrease - people simply will not be able to afford to shop. But this is as if we are a country without institutions and we rely on the market.
According to Nikola Stoyanov, it is too late for the Agri-Food Chain Law:
"By the time it comes into effect - September, October - prices will have reached a certain maximum that the market cannot absorb. It has become clear that traders will not wait, the price increase is happening right now. It is already too late to take measures".
According to him, the attempt is to raise prices before January 1, 2026, and it is taking place quite successfully at the moment, the state is not preventing it.