Growing watermelon in Bulgaria becomes unprofitable

Published Aug 19, 2022

Tridge summary

Bulgarian watermelon producers are facing challenges due to the influx of cheap Greek watermelons, leading to decreased markets for domestic production and increased production costs. The lack of state control over imports and a decrease in purchase prices have resulted in a potential loss for producers. Yanko Yanev, a large producer in Lyubimets, has had to sell at a loss this year and considers reducing his cultivation area next year. The situation is worsened by the labor-intensive nature of watermelon harvesting, difficulties in finding workers, and the advantage that the shadow economy enjoys over registered producers. The European subsidies for fruit and vegetable production in Bulgaria are low in comparison to neighboring Greece.

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Original content

Tons of watermelons were left in the field due to lack of markets. According to Bulgarian producers, cheap Greek products are steadily crowding out domestic production. There is no state control of imports, costs have increased by 30-40% with a halving of purchase prices. These are the conclusions of Yanko Yanev, one of the largest producers in the town of Lyubimets (in southern Bulgaria), at the height of summer. Once upon a time, sweet watermelons and melons were a trademark for the region's fertile lands and a major source of livelihood for the local population. Today the situation is completely different. Melons are almost never grown, and the business with watermelons is becoming more and more difficult, BNR Novini reports. “This year, since I have a market, I have sold everything. However, this is not the case with other producers, their watermelons remained on the field, - says Yanev and explains the reasons: - Greek watermelons are imported, which are subsidized by 20 euro ...

Source: Eastfruit