Producers, Retailers Argue over Display of Organic Products in Bulgarian Stores

The Bulgarian Organic Products Association has suggested that shops should keep organic products separate from conventional ones, while retailers insist that the items should be displayed alongside other food products in order to make it easier for customers to choose.

A discussion is yet to take place of amendments to the Common Organizations of Markets in Agricultural Products of the European Union Implementing Act.

The outcome of the talks will have a direct impact on the sale of organic products, Darik radio reports.

According to Georgi Georgiev from the Association of Organic Traders, there have been positive developments on the organic products market in Bulgaria.

"We are observing an increase in the assortment of organic products made in Bulgaria. There are already a number of producers of dairy products; there are also organic biscuits, organic chocolate, organic boza, and the assortment keeps growing. There are also a number of new Bulgarian producers of organic wine," Georgiev says.

"Some 5000 certified organic products are already on sale in Bulgaria thanks to the increased interest in such items. In any case, our opinion is that organic spaghetti must be placed next to conventional spaghetti but they must simply carry the EU organic leaf logo to ensure better consumer awareness," he comments.

While traders insist that organic items should be displayed all over the retail space, organic producers demand that their products should be sold separately in chain stores.

According to Eli Ilieva from the Bulgarian Organic Products Association, who insists on separate stalls for organic and conventional items, the step will make products more recognizable since the logo is small and not very easy to see.

Bulgaria's Food Safety Agency reminds that traders and producers offering fake organic products face a penalty of BGN 250-500 and double the amount for a repeat offence.