Tsvetan Filev, Chair of the National Tobacco Growers Association (NAT – 2010), has said that the 2012 tobacco harvest in Bulgaria was 30% smaller due to the drought.

Speaking Tuesday at a meeting of the European Association of Tobacco Growers (UNITAB) in Paris, he noted that tobacco prices in Bulgaria were 20% higher as a result of the liberalized local market.

Filev, as cited by the Focus news agency, informed that a total of 23 000 tonnes of the four traditional tobacco brands grown in Bulgaria had been produced in 2012.

He made clear that NAT – 2010 sought to increase production, especially of oriental tobacco, adding that this depended on the new budget framework and the new Common Agricultural Policy of the EU.

Filev pointed out that there were no national additional payments for tobacco in Bulgaria, adding that the sector was scheduled to receive money from the national budget in 2013.

Tobacco growers in Bulgaria are to receive BGN 73 M under Budget 2013 in notified state aid.

In his Tuesday statement, Filev voiced hopes that the ongoing talks would result in an extension of the reference period in 2014 and 2015.