Seasonal Products on Bulgarian Market

Bulgaria is famous for the fact that, as an agricultural country, it is an important exporter of its rich in a huge variety and high-quality production. Almost completely the daily menu of Bulgarians is based on seasonal, local products. This assignment will examine the main seasonal products on the Bulgarian market and reasons for which it has authority around the world.

First of all, the most competitive sector on the Bulgarian market is wine industry. The history of growing grapes and cultivating wine from it originates to the age of the Thracians. In our time the country is officially divided into 5 viticultural regions. It is impossible to say which one of these regions is characterized by a high quality or amount of production. More than forty sorts of grapes grown in Bulgaria are used in the production of wine. Nowadays, the wine production in Bulgaria reaches almost 115 million liters per year. Gathering grapes for wine cultivation starts on September 7 and lasts approximately two weeks. Some sorts of grapes should be gathered in late autumn when also the wine cultivation begins. This product of Bulgarian market can be found in the public access throughout the year.

Another and, perhaps, the most widespread sector of Bulgarian seasonal products is fruit and vegetable markets. Depending on the season, more than 120 varieties of fruits and vegetables can ripen here. In general, the fruit and vegetable season begins in March, when the first strawberries and sweet cherries of Bulgarian origin come on the market. The market is the richest in the varieties of this type of product, particularly in the summer season. This time there are first harvests of Bulgarian tomatoes, watermelons, corns, etc. Also in the summer season of harvest, the Bulgarian fruit and vegetable market is characterized by low prices without changing the quality of products. Autumn is a pumpkin harvest season. Prices for fruit and vegetable products are rising significantly in winter. Import of products mainly from Turkey and Greece helps to maintain the variety of the market during the winter period. This way here comes the production such as persimmons, figs, oranges, mandarins and Granny Smith.

In addition, there are other commodity relations between Turkey and Bulgaria. For example, about 15% of Turkey’s manufactured and exported products are not agricultural. Of this 15%, about 7-8% is exported to Bulgaria.

The last thing we are discussing in this essay will be the dairy products of Bulgaria. In my opinion, the most important stage in the history of the development of sour-milk production in the country was the discovery of the Bulgarian wand. The bacterium was discovered in 1905 and now is used universally. Currently, in Bulgaria, there is the Institute, engaged in the development of unique dairy products and probiotics. The most popular dairy products here are Bulgarian cheese, white cheese, and yogurt. The resource of milk for these products are Goats, Sheep, and Cows. Dairy production on an industrial scale has no particular season and it can be found in supermarkets during the whole year. However, some people still keep traditions and make cheeses at home. Then the most suitable is the summer season when the milk has enough minerals and flavor.

Summing up, we can say that Bulgaria is an important supplier of quality and natural products with original properties and taste. The country’s products are known in many countries. The agricultural industry of Bulgaria takes roots centuries ago and, in my opinion, has stability and development in our time.

Article & photos by Valeriia Rogovaia