Recent developments
Considerable growth occurred in organic farming between 2009–2010 in Bulgaria. The certified land doubled between 2009 and 2010. During this time, the number of operators (producers, processors, exporters, importers) increased by 76 percent and the highest growth was seen for cultivated oilseeds, which increased fourfold. The area for medicinal and aromatic plants and nuts increased by more than 50 percent, and the cereal and vegetable area doubled.
The development of organic farming in Bulgaria in the period 2002-2010
Source: Bioselena and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Bulgaria
Milestones in the development of organic farming Bulgaria
– 1993: The first organic pilot farm (8 hectares) was established on the farm at the Agrarian University of Plovdiv.
– 1996–2000: First intensive activities in the development of organic farming in Bulgaria, such as trainings for farmers, publication of literature, and the preparation of the national legislation. The project “Development of organic farming in the Central Balkan Region” was financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and Bioselena (www.bioselena.com).
– 2000–2004: First steps in organic farming in Bulgaria took taking place. The establishment of a national organic legislation (Ordinance 22 and Ordinance 35), the first national organic farming festival, the first farm certification; in 2003, Bulgaria participated for the first time at the BioFach Organic Trade Fair; in 2004, the first specialised organic shop in Sophia was established.
– 2005–2008: Organic products became available in Bulgarian shops. In 2005,
organic foods appeared for the first time in the supermarkets of Sofia; in 2007, organic foods became available for the first time in shops outside Sofia; in 2008, the organic boom begins with more than 1’500 shops selling organic products; the first TV advertisement for organic food also appeared during this time.
– 2009–2010: Economic crisis and consolidation of the sector: Organic farmers began receiving payments from the government; the association of organic farmers was established; the association of traders of organic food was set up; organic agriculture in Bulgaria begins developing into a real economic sector.
Production and operator data
At the end of 2010, 25’648 hectares were farmed organically, constituting 0.47 percent of
the total usable farmland in Bulgaria. The main crops cultivated were aromatic and
medicinal plants, small fruits, and nuts. The Bulgarian organic agriculture consists of large areas, certified for the collection of wild fruit, herbs and mushrooms. Organic animal breeding was still underdeveloped in 2010, with only a small number of certified farms and animals. Organic apiculture had 46’429 beehives under organic management at the end of 2010. Bulgaria has ten control and certification authorities for organic farming. Only one of them is a Bulgarian company, the latter having the largest market share.
Key institutions/organizations
– Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Organic Farming Unit of the Directorate Plant Production has four employees in this unit. The key role of the directorate is the supervision of the work of the control bodies.
– Commission Organic Farming to the Minister of Agriculture and Foods, consists of representatives of manufacturers, traders in organic products, research and consulting organizations and structures of the Ministry. The scope of activity of the commission is to approve the control authorities in the country as well as to take decisions regarding the duration of the transition period.
– State Fund Agriculture accepts and processes applications to support organic farmers, carries out spot checks of the farms and is in charge of the payments.
– Bulgarian Organic Products Association is a national organic association with members consist mainly of producers and processing units. It was established in 2010.
– Association of traders of organic has twenty-one businesses as members (mainly importers).
– Foundation for Organic Farming „Bioselena” offers professional advice for producers and processing units of organic foods, as well as professional training in organic farming. It issues literature in organic farming in the Bulgarian language, promotes organic agriculture among farmers and policy-makers, as well as organic foods among consumers.
– The Agrarian University of Plovdiv offers master degree courses in organic farming and is the only university in Bulgaria to do so. It also has a nine-hectare organic farm.
Market and trade
Most of the organic products (about 90 percent) are exported to the Central and Western
European countries, North America, and Japan. There are no official data on exports. The local market has been developing rapidly since 2007. Bulgaria now has over 2’000 shops that sell organic foods. The market leaders are baby foods and dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheese). There are no official statistics on sales. According to unofficial information, the market for organic products in Bulgaria ranges between six to eight million euros. About 90 percent of organic products marketed in Bulgaria is imported from the European Union. There are no imports from third countries.
Legislation
The “Law on the application of the general organizations of the agricultural product markets in EU” settles organic farming in Bulgaria. The terms “bio”, “eco”, and “organic” are protected by law, but only for food, produced in compliance with the organic farming requirements. Detailed rules for the production, processing, and labelling are laid down in the European regulation No. 834/2007 of June 28, 2007. Some of the certification authorities offer certification according to private standards as well (Bio Suisse for example).
Government support / development cooperation
Government support is limited to financially supporting certain crops for a period of five years. The support is granted under Measure 214 of the Rural Development Program (Table 61).
Research, advice and training
Specialised consulting organizations, such as Bioselena, offer advice to farmers against payments. Some of the researchers also offer consulting services. The traders of fertilizers and plant protection products also offer advice. The Agrarian University of Plovdiv offers a facultative academic program of 30 hours for students, as well as master degree programs in organic farming. Bioselena offers professional training in organic agriculture for farmers.
Links
– www.mzh.government.bg/mzh/en/Home.aspx: Ministry of Agriculture and Food
– www.prsr.government.bg/index.php/en: Rural Development program 2007-2013
– www.dfz.bg/en: State Fund Agriculture
– www.bgbio.org: Bulgarian Organic Products Association
– www.abt-bulgaria.org: Association of organic traders
– www.bioselena.com/en: Foundation for organic agriculture Bioselena
– www.au-plovdiv.bg/en: Agricultural University of Plovdiv
Author: Dr. Stoilko Apostolov, Manager, FOA Bioselena, Karlovo, www.bioselena.com