site.btaPresident Radev Discusses Possible Food Crisis with Students in Plovdiv

Speaking to students at the Agricultural University in Plovdiv on Tuesday, President Rumen Radev warned that the war in Ukraine can cause a major food crisis. He said Ukraine is a leading exporter of cereals, but it may be unable to harvest and export its crops. This means a huge problem for the world, Radev said.

He noted that during his April 28-29 visit to Spain, his hosts acknowledged that Bulgaria's importance in the agricultural sector is growing. They thanked Bulgaria for offering to help maintain the flow of wheat, sunflower and maize from Ukraine.

Many EU member states have stepped up their correspondence with the Bulgarian authorities in a bid to ensure cereal imports, and hence, food security and food neutrality. Radev noted that food shortage can cause national security problems.

According to the President, Bulgarian agriculture is beset by serious structural imbalances, with decreasing shares of fruit, vegetable, meat and milk production.