Vegetable prices in Bulgaria have surged by nearly 15% over the past year, with local cucumbers reaching a record 4 leva per kilogram, as reported by EastFruit and Novinite.com. Rosen Petrakiev, a farmer from Martin, has linked this price hike to the adverse effects of extreme heat on crop yields and quality. The increased operating costs for farmers, necessary to cover plant protection investments, are also contributing factors. Despite the lack of significant imported products on the market, Bulgarians are showing a preference for high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables.