Raspberry – a fruit with a positive net export balance

On 15 and 16 September, the 8th National Specialized Exhibition for Berry Crops and Raspberry Festival was held in the town of Popovo.

The town of Popovo was chosen as host of the festival because it has the largest raspberry plantations –  391.3 decares, according to the latest data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The raspberry plantations – 472.7 decares – are the main agricultural livelihood for all five municipalities of Targovishte Region and for Opaka Municipality.

At the opening of the Raspberry Festival in Popovo, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food, Aleksandar Yotsev, stated that interventions under coupled support now also include greenhouse production of raspberries and strawberries. In 2023, a state aid scheme was also launched to support incurred irrigation water costs for the cultivation of agricultural crops, under which berry producers may apply for support until 2 October of the current year.

Irrigation scheme for agricultural crops: deadlines, documents and budget

In Bulgaria there are 39 enterprises in this segment, with raspberry production last year amounting to nearly 5,700 tonnes, of which over 3,100 tonnes were sold fresh and frozen for export. A total of 2,600 tonnes were processed.

The Deputy Minister recalled that raspberries are one of the products with a positive net export balance in the fruit sector in the country.

Aleksandar Yotsev expressed hope that the policy of the Ministry of Agriculture will strengthen its support for Bulgarian fruit growing with a view to enhancing its market orientation and competitiveness.

Traditionally, at the Raspberry Festival, fresh fruits from berry crops, foods, juices, jams, wine and soft drinks with raspberry flavour were presented. A competition for homemade raspberry jam, as well as a culinary exhibition, was also held.

The second day of the exhibition was dedicated to visits to fields and greenhouses with berry crops in the region of the town of Popovo and to the presentation of machinery, equipment and facilities for irrigation and hail protection.