Анализ на сектор “fruit and vegetables” за изминалата 2015 година

Support for fruit and vegetable producers. According to preliminary data for 2015, most of the main vegetable crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, melons and watermelons report lower output compared to the same period of 2014. The decrease ranges between 8% and 24%, most pronounced for watermelons. On the other hand, pepper production is 17.4% above the level of one year earlier. Compared to the previous year at this stage, a lower average yield is reported for tomatoes, watermelons and melons, and a higher average yield for potatoes and peppers. According to data from Dobrinka Pavlova, Director of the “Organic Farming and Crop Production” Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food

In Bulgaria, the favourable natural, climatic and soil conditions determine the great diversity of cultivated agricultural crops. Our country is known for its traditions in the production of fruits and vegetables with an unforgettable taste and aroma, as well as for the high-quality and abundant output from them.

Fruit production

The areas with orchards and berry crops in our country occupy about 47,000 ha (1 hectare = 10 decares). Young plantations that have not yet entered into bearing cover 12,000 ha. The country produces an average of 169,000 tonnes of fruit from orchard species. The highest relative share of the total production of fruits from orchard species is accounted for by:

• apples – 54,502 tonnes – 32.0%;
• cherries – 33,294 tonnes – 20.0%;
• peaches and nectarines – 30,483 tonnes – 18.0%;
• plums and greengages – 24,640 tonnes – 15.0%;
• strawberries and raspberries – 8,771 tonnes – 5.0%;
• table grapes – 7,079 tonnes – 4.0%.

Of the total fruit output, 65.0% is intended for the commercial network, 27.0% for the processing industry, and 4.0% is for own consumption.

Annually, about 78,000 tonnes of fresh fruit are processed, with the processed quantities increasing compared to previous years.

The largest share of processed fruits is accounted for by cherries, apples, peaches and plums.

The production of finished products from processed fruits amounts to 63,000 tonnes. The share of processed products is as follows:

• 14.0% – fruit concentrates and juices;
• 37.0% – canned products (incl. jams and compotes);
• 17.0% – frozen fruits.

These three main products constitute 68.0% of the fruit products produced.

Grape production

The total area under vineyards in Bulgaria is 63,000 ha, including 53,000 ha of vineyard plantations in agricultural holdings, of which 32,000 ha are harvested.

The grapes processed for the production of wine and grape must, declared by the registered wine producers with the Executive Agency on Vine and Wine, amount to 104,000 tonnes.

According to preliminary data for 2015, in fruit crops there is an increase in the harvested area as well as in production, with the exception of apples and sour cherries, for which a slight decrease is reported.

The areas with newly planted and young plantations that have not yet entered into bearing show a positive trend in recent years.

A lower average yield is reported for almost all fruit crops in the last year compared to the previous one, due to adverse climatic conditions.

Vegetable production

The areas used for vegetable production in agricultural holdings are about 34,000 ha, of which 33,000 ha are open-field areas and 900 ha are greenhouse area.

The most significant crops in terms of production for the country are tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, watermelons, head cabbage and eggplants.

The total production of vegetables from open-field and greenhouse areas is 520,000 tonnes.

The highest share of total production is accounted for by:

• potatoes – 132,561 tonnes – 26.0%;
• tomatoes – 120,489 tonnes – 23.0%;
• cucumbers (total) – 51,297 tonnes – 10.0%;
• pepper – 49,909 tonnes – 10.0%;
• head cabbage – 42,347 tonnes – 8.0%.

The production of vegetables from open-field areas only is 427,000 tonnes, which represents 82% of total production.

The production of vegetables from greenhouse areas is 93,000 tonnes, or 18% of total production.

The production of cultivated mushrooms is 2,200 tonnes.

The following crops have the highest relative share in greenhouse production – cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuces and leaf lettuces, and peppers.

In recent years, a trend has been observed towards an increase in the quantity of production from greenhouse areas (mainly cucumbers, lettuces and leaf lettuces).

Greenhouse production allows yield planning through the application and observance of appropriate technologies for growing vegetables. This type of production ensures stability of the quantities of vegetables produced, as well as their year-round supply to the market or for export.

The higher average yield for some of the main vegetable crops is the result of the application of appropriate growing technologies, as well as the use of high-quality, certified seeds by agricultural producers.

Of the vegetables intended for the commercial network, 69.0% are marketed fresh. Vegetables delivered for industrial processing to enterprises account for 18%, and 13.0% are for own consumption.

The processing of fresh vegetables averages 17–19.0% of the total vegetable production in the country, or about 88,000–97,000 tonnes. The largest share in vegetable processing (of the total quantity of vegetables for processing) is held by tomatoes with 42.0%, followed by pepper – 20.0%; eggplant, peas and gherkins – a total of 12.0%. The share of all other vegetable crops for processing is 26.0%.

According to preliminary data for 2015, most of the main vegetable crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, melons and watermelons report lower output compared to the same period of 2014. The decrease ranges between 8% and 24%, most pronounced for watermelons. On the other hand, pepper production is 17.4% above the level of one year earlier.

Compared to the previous year at this stage, a lower average yield is reported for tomatoes, watermelons and melons, and a higher average yield for potatoes and peppers.