After another tense conversation between the National Association of Grain Producers and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the organization expects clear actions and compliance with the commitments made. In the meeting with Minister Georgi Tahov, the deadlines and mechanisms for real legislative changes, which farmers insist on being adopted by the end of the year, were discussed. However, the sector is facing serious market challenges, low prices, a poor harvest and competition from Ukraine. Radostina Zhekova, chairwoman of the Dobrudja Grain Producers' Union, spoke to FAKTI.
– Mrs. Zhekova, once again, grain producers have entered a not very comfortable mode of conversation with the Ministry of Agriculture. You recently had a meeting with Minister Tahov. Where are things going? What did you agree on?
– What we specified with Minister Tahov was the clearing of the deadlines from the declaration and the commitment of the Ministry to consider the proposals that we have submitted. They are related to legislative changes. If there are ready-made draft laws from the Ministry, let them be made available for public discussion so that all guilds that are interested can familiarize themselves with them. It is about working to comply with the deadlines set out in the declaration. A meeting with the Prime Minister is also forthcoming, but given the political situation after the elections in Pazardzhik, I cannot say when it will be.
– How long have you been having these conversations and do you already speak the same language with the Ministry?
– I think so. What we said was, I hope, understood. The assurance from Minister Tahov is that the deadlines will be met. I really hope that we speak the same language – the language of the survival of the sector. And the changes do not only concern grain production. They will also help livestock farming, fruit and vegetable producers, etc.
– What is the situation in the sector this year? How is Bulgaria positioned?
– It is an extremely difficult year – not only for Bulgaria, but also for the entire European agricultural community. If we talk about production – the wheat harvest is good, but the market is difficult. The price is about 350 leva per ton when exported from the sea, and for colleagues from the interior – much lower due to transport. Last year, the price for the same quality was 420-440 leva. This is a serious difference, especially against the backdrop of higher costs.
Sunflower has a very difficult harvest – There are regions with yields of only 50-60 kg/ha, and the average is about 180 kg/ha. At these costs, sunflower will not be able to cover the cost price. Corn is also in a difficult situation - the average yield is 217 kg/ha, but in Northwestern Bulgaria there are colleagues with zero yield. In addition, banks no longer lend to the sector so easily, which further worsens the situation.
– The topic of “Ukraine“ continues to be sensitive. How does it affect the market?
– This is a constant topic - and before the war with Russia, Ukraine was a major producer. They are present in European markets with an advantage. Now there is a new agreement that will affect both fruit and meat producers. This creates turmoil in the market. Ukrainian producers do not have European regulations, which makes their cost price lower. And when two produce the same product, but one at a lower cost – he is more competitive. This will affect the internal market in the EU. Bulgaria has even already lost its market in Spain for feed.
– What deadlines have you set for the legislative changes?
– We have written down a three-month deadline in the declaration. This is important so that the next business year can begin in a calmer environment. We are confident that it will be respected. Expert groups must be created – the lawyers of the Ministry and the association must synchronize the texts, undergo a public discussion and then in parliament. It is completely realistic for this to happen by the end of the year.