site.btaRecent Years Have Seen Sustainable Raspberry Harvesting Areas in Bulgaria

Recent years have seen sustainable raspberry harvesting areas in Bulgaria, this year totalling 1,816 ha, 190 ha of which have already been harvested and have produced 500 tonnes of berries, outgoing Agriculture Minister Ivan Ivanov said. He was speaking at Friday's opening of the 7th National Specialized Exhibition of Berries at the traditional Raspberry Festival, held in the northeastern town of Loznitsa, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Raspberries are among the Bulgarian fruits with a positive net export balance. Bulgaria is a net exporter of raspberries and cherries only, with exports of raspberries - fresh and frozen - amounting to 3,620 tonnes in 2021. "The quantity of processed raspberries accounts for 2.9 percent of all processed fruit and amounts to 2,840 tonnes, and the processing plants in the country number 38," Ivanov added.

"The Bulgarian Association of Raspberry and Berry Growers contributes to the development of the crops efficient production by improving market and technological infrastructure and strategic investment policy, aimed at achieving European standards in the activities of farmers and in accordance with the best environmental practices", added the Agriculture Minister.

Ivanov recalled that in connection with the increased costs related to primary agricultural produce in 2022, the State has applied aid in support of farmers' liquidity. The Ministry is taking action according to the State aid Temporary Framework approved by the European Commission, he said, adding that a case in point was the Association. The Ministry has allotted it BGN 70,000 to participate in exhibitions and fairs, including the present event.

During his visit to Loznitsa, Ivanov also visited a refrigerating facility specialised in freezing game meat. The plant also receives, processes and exports the region's agricultural produce, freezing raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and other fruits.