site.btaConsumer Basket Price Up by BGN 1 to BGN 97, W/W

The price of the consumer basket has increased by BGN 1 compared to last week and now stands at BGN 97, State Commission for Commodity Exchanges and Wholesale Markets Chair Vladimir Ivanov Tuesday said at a press conference where he presented a weekly overview of wholesale price movements for staple foods, fruit, and vegetables in Bulgaria.

Ivanov said that the increase is due to seasonal factors and, in the case of fruit, also to climatic conditions. The market continues to operate according to normal market laws, with no negative trends observed, he added.

He shared the changes in wholesale prices from May 20 to the present.

Among staple foods, sugar was BGN 1.87 per kilogramme on May 20 and is currently BGN 1.79/kg. Beans have dropped from BGN 4.35/kg to BGN 4.26/kg. Rice is now BGN 3.26/kg, down from BGN 3.38/kg at the beginning of the period. Flour has decreased from BGN 1.54/kg to BGN 1.49/kg. Sunflower oil has risen from BGN 3.15 per litre on May 20 to BGN 3.28 per litre currently. Eggs increased from BGN 0.34 to BGN 0.37 per piece. The price of the yellow kashkaval cheese fell from BGN 18.60/kg to BGN 17.85/kg, while white brined cheese rose from BGN 11.40/kg to BGN 12.02/kg. Butter was BGN 3.17 at the start of the period and is now BGN 3.14 for 125 grammes. Yoghurt decreased from BGN 1.43 to BGN 1.39 for 400 grammes. Milk has dropped from BGN 2.36/litre to BGN 2.29/litre. Pork fell from BGN 10.27/kg to BGN 10/kg, while poultry increased from BGN 6.75/kg to BGN 7.03/kg.

In the vegetables category, tomatoes have decreased from BGN 2.47/kg on May 20 to BGN 2.02/kg. Cucumbers rose from BGN 1.94/kg to BGN 2.33/kg, and potatoes dropped from BGN 1.39/kg to BGN 1.09/kg. Cabbage fell from BGN 1.70/kg to BGN 0.98/kg. Carrots dropped from BGN 1.31/kg to BGN 1.23/kg, and onions decreased from BGN 1.36/kg to BGN 1.20/kg. Red peppers dropped from BGN 3.27/kg to BGN 2.23/kg, and green peppers saw a significant fall from BGN 4.32/kg to BGN 2/kg. Courgettes rose from BGN 1.30/kg to BGN 1.43/kg.

In the fruit category, lemons increased from BGN 3.02/kg to BGN 4.45/kg. Peaches are currently BGN 3.97/kg, up from BGN 3.90/kg in May. Grapes fell from BGN 3.63/kg on August 26 to BGN 2.89/kg. Watermelon prices dropped from BGN 1.25/kg to BGN 0.72/kg, while apples rose from BGN 2.14/kg to BGN 2.80/kg.

The market operates based on supply and demand, Ivanov said, adding that they had not seen any external pressures, whether from the euro area or psychological factors such as panic. The current processes are typical, he noted.

Regarding reports about price levels, Ivanov pointed to significant differences across marketplaces. He said that there were markets where markups exceed 300% above wholesale prices and mentioned others where prices are even below wholesale. “I will not name specific locations, but in some Sofia markets, cucumbers have markups over 400%. Interestingly, some customers still buy at those prices. Such markets exist because there is demand, but from a rational standpoint, paying such a premium is not justified,” Ivanov said, urging consumers to make more informed choices.

Ivanov said the market is functioning normally, with no need for panic. “The market is well supplied with all kinds of goods. We have no shortages. Cartel agreements are currently impossible in this competitive environment, and where laws are violated, bodies like the CPC [Commission for Protection of Competition] are there to intervene,” he added. Ivanov also mentioned that Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area has not yet affected the market but should have a positive impact by reducing transfer costs significantly.