The Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture has published and processed data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on the import and export of fruits and vegetables in the period between January and May 2018. During the first five months of the year, 141,900 tonnes of fresh vegetables and 122,200 tonnes of fresh fruits were imported, which is 6.4% and 23.3% more than a year earlier.

The increase in the import of fresh vegetables is mainly due to a growth in the supply of tomatoes, up 7,000 tonnes (+17.3%), cucumbers, up 3,700 tonnes (+30.6%) and peppers, up 3,600 tonnes (+42.2%). 

Meanwhile. potato imports dropped by 4,900 tonnes (-19.1%). Among the traditionally imported vegetables, drops have been recorded by cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, mushrooms and legumes, with percentages oscillating between 2% (cabbage) and 23.4% (leguminous vegetables). 

Fresh fruit imports are still dominated by non-domestic species, such as citrus fruits and bananas. The apple supply fell significantly, with a reduction of 5.2 thousand tonnes (-23.6%) down to 17 thousand tonnes.

Among the other fruits, drops were also recorded in the import of strawberries (by 13.7%), raspberries and blackberries (by 49.8%) and quinces (by 91.7%), while increases were recorded by watermelons (by 4.4 thousand tonnes, or nearly triple), cherries (almost triple), peaches (about double), nuts, grapes, pears and apricots (between 4.4% and 21.7%).

In the first five months of the year, fresh vegetable exports grew by almost 80% compared to a year earlier, reaching 25,900 tonnes, and those of fresh fruit more than doubled, reaching 23,700 tonnes.

The most important contribution to the increase in the total exports of fresh vegetables are legumes, up 7,200 tonnes, followed by pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, sweet corn and potatoes, wher the volume almost quadrupled. There have been drops in the export of onions (by 33.5%), cabbage (by 49.5%) and lettuce (by 89.6%).

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editors Note:

To apply for becoming a contributor of EN-SJGLE.com,

welcome to send your CV and sample works to us,

Email: Julia.Zhang@ubmsinoexpo.com.