site.btaTomatoes Rise Over 15% as Prices of All Other Fruits and Vegetables Drop Week on Week

All fruits and vegetables became cheaper on wholesale markets in Bulgaria this week, with the sole exception of tomatoes, which rose by over 15%, according to Sunday data from the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Wholesale Markets.

The Wholesale Food Price Index, which tracks wholesale food price movements in Bulgaria, decreased slightly by 0.09% to 2.270 points, compared to 2.272 points in  the previous week. The base level of the index (1.000 points) was set in 2005.

Among vegetables, tomatoes were the only ones to become more expensive - up 15.19% to BGN 1.40/kg. The sharpest decline was recorded for dry onions, which fell 15.04% to BGN 0.96/kg. Prices also dropped significantly for potatoes (down 12.13% to BGN 0.96/kg), cucumbers (down 11.90% to BGN 1.98/kg), and zucchini (down 11.42% to BGN 1.26/kg). Carrots fell 8.18% to BGN 1.15/kg, cabbage 5.05% to BGN 0.94/kg, red peppers 4.87% to BGN 2.05/kg, and green peppers 4.19% to BGN 1.77/kg.

All fruits monitored by the Commission also declined in price. The steepest drop was in watermelons (down 9.96% to BGN 0.61/kg). Apples fell by 5.78% to BGN 2.61/kg, lemons by 5.43% to BGN 4.18/kg, peaches by 3.93% to BGN 3.97/kg, and grapes by 3.62% to BGN 2.86/kg.

Among dairy products, cow cheese increased by 0.73% to BGN 12.05/kg, and yellow cheese (“Vitosha” type) by 1.28% to BGN 17.97/kg. Yogurt (3% and above fat) dropped by 3.12% to BGN 1.32 per 400-gram cup, and fresh milk by 0.88% to BGN 2.25 per litre. Butter (125 g) also became slightly cheaper, by 0.24%, to BGN 3.11 per pack.

Frozen poultry rose marginally by 0.14% to BGN 6.94/kg, while eggs (size M) declined by 1.33% to BGN 0.37 a piece.

Rice prices dropped by 1.2% to BGN 3.30/kg, while flour (type 500) rose by 5.3% to BGN 1.54/kg. Sunflower oil became cheaper by 2.74% to BGN 3.20/litre, while sugar increased by 1.67% to BGN 1.83/kg. Prices of dry beans and lentils also edged up by 0.35% to BGN 4.29/kg and 0.58% to BGN 4.33/kg, respectively.