European Sun for Bio Agriculture

Bulgaria can already sell in the EU, without disguising the bio products in a foreign trademark

Bulgaria has unexpectedly turned out to be one of the 10 countries with the greatest number of areas with biological crops during the last three years. Meanwhile, the strategy for the Bulgarian bio-agriculture development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests has been neglected for at least two years.

That is what a survey of the international consultant A. T. Kearney reveals. The survey has been made in compliance with data of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). According to the survey of A. T. Kearney, for the period 2004-2006, the certified bio-areas in Bulgaria have increased from 500 to 12 284 hectares (122 840 decares, 1 hectare = 10 decares), or with 2357%. Thus Bulgaria becomes the 6th country in the world, in terms of the number of hectares with bio-crops, after Kenya, Syria, Croatia, Korea and Zimbabwe. The Bulgarian accession to the European Union has also turned out to be good news for the Bulgarian bio-manufacturers. They will already have the opportunity of freely selling their production in the countries of the European Union.

According to A. T. Kearney, the other countries, where the biological areas are also increasing, are: Nepal, China, Pakistan and Zambia. The consultant company writes that the growth in these countries, including Bulgaria, happens due to the fact that the organic products’ market is a good possibility for export for most of them. Yet, these countries could not be competitors of the countries with the greatest sizes of bio-areas (except for China). Australia has the greatest size of bio-areas in the world, since there are 12.1 million hectares with bio-crops there.

Why do bio-areas in Bulgaria increase

Reporting the growth of areas in Bulgaria for the last three years has been dependent on the main fact that as of 2004, according to the biological production standards, there has neither been any active certifying body in the country, nor any statistics have been kept.

However, there are two recognized organizations in the country as of last year – “Balkan Biocert” and “QC&I International Service”. The information they give to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests reveals that the certified areas with bio-crops tend to increase. At present, their size amounts to 15 thousand decares. However, their share of the total agricultural land in the country is very small – less than 0.5%. Due to that areas, the following crops are being produced in the county: honey, teas, herbs, seasoning, dried fruits, mushrooms, forest fruits and the respective fruit jams, vegetables, ether-oil crops, oils and cosmetic products, as well as rose oil. More that 90% of these products are being exported.

The regions where bio-agriculture is being developed are: Karlovo, Kalofer, Kazanlak, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Montana and Stara Zagora. During the last two years, some manufacturers use the biological method of production in the following regions as well: Russe, Silistra, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Samokov, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad.

Another 65 000 hectares have been certified in the country, for the gathering of wild herbs, forest fruits and mushrooms. According to data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, more than 96 manufacturers of biological products and foods have been registered so far. However, there is still no accurate statistics for the manufacture and market.


The roads to Europe are all open

The areas in Bulgaria are increasing, and what is more, all restrictions for the Bulgarian manufacturers of biological production, for import in the European Union, are to drop off after the accession.

The companies will already have the possibility to freely sell their production on the European market, with their own trademarks. That was not possible so far, since the Bulgarian certificate for biological production was not recognized in Europe. That is why, the imposed company export practice is to work by orders of a contracting party from the respective country of the European Union. That contracting party processes and repacks the production, and then sells it with its own label. The Bulgarian companies’ export is mainly to: the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

There is a positive change in Bulgaria, although only 5% of the Bulgarian bio-products are being sold on the internal market (that value amounts to 70% in some West European countries).

The local market is expected to grow, since Bulgarian bio-products are already being sold in chains like “Billa”, “Familia” and “Elemag”, although in small assortment. The list comprises biological yogurt, herb, honey, jams, seasoning, dried fruits and mushrooms. “After the start of the campaign for the bio-products’ popularizing, the demand is growing, and the monthly sale of yogurt, for instance, has trebled.” – said Stoilko Apostolov, Chairperson of “Biovselena” Foundation, which unifies the manufacturers in the country.

  read more articles