Bulgaria: Raspberries go up in price by over one lev due to expensive irrigation

Bulgarian farmers, especially those producing raspberries and strawberries, are facing a potential bankruptcy due to a drastic increase in irrigation water prices. The price has surged by approximately 300-350%, threatening the sustainability of their businesses. The situation has prompted emergency meetings and concerns have been escalated to higher authorities, with grain producers also expressing similar challenges. Ayhan Shakhimov, a major producer of raspberries and strawberries in Northern Bulgaria, has highlighted the critical edge you're on as a producer with such water prices, suggesting that production may no longer be financially viable. This price hike is expected to result in a significant increase in the cost of raspberries, potentially affecting consumers.