The cost of essential foods, fruits, and vegetables surged on Bulgarian stock exchanges last week, as reported in the latest bulletin from the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets (DKSBT).
The market price index (ITC), which tracks wholesale food prices in Bulgaria, rose by 0.33 percent, reaching 2,158 points compared to 2,151 points the previous week. The ITC’s base level of 1,000 points was established in 2005.
Vegetable Prices Climb Sharply
Vegetables monitored by DKSBT experienced a widespread price hike. Greenhouse cucumbers recorded the steepest increase, rising by 9 percent to BGN 2.95 per kilogram. Greenhouse tomatoes followed closely with a 7.5 percent rise, now priced at BGN 3.40 per kilogram.
Staple root vegetables also saw notable price increases, with potatoes up by 1.5 percent to BGN 1.19 per kilogram and carrots increasing by 8.7 percent to BGN 1.23 per kilogram.
Ripe onions became 8.5 percent more expensive at BGN 1.07 per kilogram, while cabbage rose by 7.7 percent to BGN 1.18 per kilogram.
Green salad prices edged up by 1.8 percent to BGN 1.02 per kilogram, and ripe garlic saw a marginal increase of 1.9 percent to BGN 5.77 per kilogram.
Fruits See Mixed Trends
Fruits showed a mixed trend during the week. Grapes led the price surge with an 11.8 percent increase, now trading at BGN 2.92 per kilogram.
Apples became 3.6 percent more expensive at BGN 1.77 per kilogram, while bananas saw a modest rise of 1.3 percent to BGN 2.75 per kilogram.
Conversely, some citrus fruits became more affordable. Tangerine prices fell significantly by 10 percent to BGN 2.82 per kilogram, and oranges decreased by 5.2 percent to BGN 2.40 per kilogram. Lemons also declined in price, down by 4.6 percent to BGN 2.23 per kilogram.
Dairy and Protein Costs Increase
Dairy products registered smaller but consistent price increases. Cow’s cheese rose by 0.8 percent to BGN 11.27 per kilogram, while “Vitosha” cheese climbed by 1.2 percent to BGN 17.29 per kilogram.
Yogurt with over 3 percent fat content saw a significant 4.1 percent rise, now priced at BGN 1.31 for a 400-gram bucket. Fresh milk (3 percent fat) also edged up by 0.7 percent to BGN 2.43 per liter.
Chicken meat prices rose by 2.9 percent to BGN 6.42 per kilogram, and eggs (size M) increased by 1.9 percent, now trading at BGN 0.33 per piece wholesale.
Essential Staples See Slight Variations
Staple foods recorded moderate price changes. Rice became 0.6 percent cheaper at BGN 3.31 per kilogram, while lentils rose by 1.6 percent to BGN 4.36 per kilogram. The price of ripe beans remained steady at BGN 4.34 per kilogram.
Sugar prices fell by 3.6 percent to BGN 1.90 per kilogram, offering some relief to consumers. However, cooking oil prices surged by 5.8 percent to BGN 3.12 per liter.
Impact on Households
The increase in wholesale prices is expected to affect consumer spending as retailers adjust their pricing. While some fruits and staples have seen price declines, the overall trend of rising costs, particularly for vegetables and dairy, may strain household budgets as Bulgaria enters the colder months.