site.btaBulgarian Greenhouse Growers Discuss New Markets at Madrid Fair

Bulgarian greenhouse growers participated in Fruit Attraction 2023, a major international fruit and vegetable fair in Madrid, held between October 3 and 5. They had discussions about new markets and presented their products, Bulgarian Greenhouse Growers Association (BGGA) Executive Director Teodora Krasteva said, as quoted by her organization on Wednesday. BGGA arranged the Bulgarian participation in the event with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and State Fund Agriculture.

In the Spanish capital, the Bulgarian farmers signed many deals and received up-to-date information about fruit and vegetable growing and trade, Krasteva said.

Fruit and vegetable growing is a leading subsector of Spanish agriculture, worth EUR 18.8 billion. The country produces 27 million tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables annually, 60% of which is exported, BGGA said in its press release. Fruit Attraction 2023 drew a record 2,000 corporate participants from 56 countries.

"Sharing expertise with Spain, one of the global leaders in the production of fresh fruit and vegetables, was very useful to us, particularly as regards government support for the top markets." Krasteva said. "The main conclusion is that concrete measures are needed to promote investments in controlling climate change and weather conditions, which are becoming increasingly challenging for agriculture, including in Bulgaria."

According to the expert, the rise in Bulgarian fruit and vegetable prices over the last few years has not offset the increasing expenses for greenhouse product growing. Imports to Bulgaria continue to expand, and the war in Ukraine has added to the pressure on supply chains.