site.btaSunseed Harvest Expected to Reach 2,500-3,500 Kg/Ha

General Toshevo, Northeastern Bulgaria, August 4 (BTA) - Dobrich region, traditionally one of the largest producers of sunflower seed in Bulgaria, is expecting a good crop this year - between 2,500 and 3,500 kg per hectare - in spite of the rainy weather and hailstorms, a selection specialist at the Dobrudja Agricultural Institute told BTA. This summer the fields under sunflower amount to 91,000 ha.
   
The harvest is expected to begin in early September or slightly later at places because of the extended vegetation period following the rains.
    
The low purchase price of 0.50-0.60 leva per kg, which was discussed by people in the business before the beginning of the campaign, will be a challenge to farmers.
   
Last year the sunseed crop in Dobrich Region exceeded 225,000 tonnes at an average 2,640 kg per hectare.

Bulgaria is the world's biggest exporter of sunflower seed according to World Trade Organisation data. In 2013, Bulgarian sunflower seed exports totalled 743,625,000 dollars.