site.btaTobacco Crop Yields Increase by 260 kg/ha to 1,790 kg/ha in 2024 y/y

An increase in average tobacco crop yields in 2024 has been reported by the Tobacco Advisory Board, which met at the Agriculture and Food Ministry at the request of the sector on Thursday. According to the Plant Production Directorate, the average yield in 2024 has increased to 1,790 kg/ha in total for the three variety groups, compared to an average yield of 1,530 kg/ha in 2023. As a result, output reached 4,323 tonnes in 2024, compared to 4,051 t in 2023, the Agriculture Ministry said.

The output of the Virginia variety is 815 t, up from 373 t in 2023. The output of Burley tobacco is 411 t, up from 267 t in 2023.

Regarding the transitional national aid for the tobacco sector, whose budget shrinks by 5% per year as agreed with the European Commission, it emerged at the meeting that, following checks early in 2025, an Advisory Board will be held again to determine the rates by variety group. "Support for tobacco growers has an economic, social and demographic effect in rural areas in addition to its economic impact," said caretaker Agriculture and Food Minister Georgi Tahov.

According to the Ministry, raw tobacco exports from Bulgaria in 2023 reached 21,720 t worth EUR 115 million. The representatives of the processing industry and the branch associations of producers noted the highly competitive environment on the international markets and the need to maintain the high quality of the raw material.

Earlier on Thursday, the European Commission approved the allocation of EUR 84 million of state aid for Bulgarian producers of cereals and oilseeds, as well as nearly EUR 85 million for farmers in Bulgaria who raise livestock. The decision is linked to the repercussions of the war launched by Russia against Ukraine.

The aid is a direct and grant payment. The first measure will be for producers of wheat, barley, rape, maize and sunflower. The second measure concerns those growing small ruminants, bees, fruit and vegetables, oil rose, vines and tobacco plants.