site.btaUPDATED Government Will Buy 1.5 Mln T of Wheat to Last until Next Harvest - PM

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov told Parliament on Tuesday that the government will buy enough wheat to last until next harvest in 2023. He was asked by an MP of the formerly ruling GERB party during Question Time in Parliament about the quantities of wheat the government has bought for safety stock during the Ukraine conflict.

It also transpired from the Prime Minister's answer that Bulgaria will have a reserve of close to 1.5 million t of wheat so as to be prepared for any emergency.

"Making sure there is enough food in Bulgaria is a big priority of the government," said the Prime Minister.

"As we all saw, there were several high-risk incidents in Ukraine, including the fire in an N-plant. It was an administrative building and there was no risk of increased radiation but we decided that we can't take risks when it comes to the grain stocks in Bulgaria. We decided to buy enough quantities to last Bulgaria until the next harvest in 2023," 

Petkov also said that the government is buying wheat at market prices and will keep it as part of the state reserve.

In recent days, wheat producers have been complaining that the authorities are unlawfully impeding - and effectively banned - grain exports. The government said that there is no ban on grain export and it has only tightened control on export.

No risk for oil deliveries

Taking a question from There Is Such a People about possible alternative sources of fuel in the event of disruption of Russian supplies, Petkov said there is no risk to petroleum deliveries and there is no reason to panic.

He added that the Energy Minister is negotiating deliveries via Greece. "We are also considering, if necessary, limiting electricity export in the event of an emergency," said Petkov.