Greek Farmers Retreat: Bulgarian Borders Reopen After Weeks of Blockades
Greek farmers have begun lifting their blockades at the border with Bulgaria, easing the disruption that had affected cross-border traffic for weeks
The Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture is set to allocate over 1.6 billion leva to support young and new farmers as well as to invest in rural infrastructure. This funding will be available under the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas for the years 2023-2027, with admissions expected to begin before the year ends.
During a meeting of the Strategic Plan Monitoring Committee, the timeline for launching these interventions was established. The support covers a wide range of activities, including the development of non-agricultural sectors like handicrafts and services, modernization of irrigation systems, and other agricultural practices. Dr. Lozana Vasileva, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food, emphasized that these admissions are vital for enhancing the economic sustainability of rural areas and addressing the significant challenges farmers have faced in recent years.
The upcoming support will also focus on innovative agricultural projects aimed at adopting new technologies and production methods. Additionally, it will assist producer groups and organizations seeking improved market positioning and adaptability. Plans are in place to support the growth of non-agricultural activities and enhance municipal infrastructure as well.
In November, the following interventions will open for applications: "II.G.6 - Investments in basic services and small-scale infrastructure in rural areas" with a budget of 500 million euros; "II.D.1 - Start-up aid for establishing young farmers in agriculture" with a budget of 90 million euros; "II.D.2 - Support for very small farms" with a budget of 30 million euros; "II.D.3 - Start-up aid for new farmers in agriculture" with a budget of million euros; and "II.Z.3 - Support for producers' organizations" with a budget of 12.5 million euros.
In December, additional interventions will be accepted, including "II.D3 - Investments for non-agricultural activities in rural areas" with a budget of 98 million euros; "II.G.5 - Investments in irrigation infrastructure" with a budget of 100 million euros; and "II.J.1 - Support for operational groups under the European Innovation Partnership" with a budget of 1 million euros.
The meeting also introduced a methodology to determine guaranteed budgets for municipalities classified as rural areas, ensuring equitable access to funds based on local needs. Evaluation criteria for ranking project proposals submitted by candidates were also approved.
Between 2019 and 2023, Bulgaria’s industrial sector has experienced a significant contraction, with roughly 104,557 jobs lost, nearly half of them in the processing industry, amounting to almost 15% of the country’s industrial workforce
Agricultural land prices across the European Union continued to rise in 2024, with Eurostat data showing a clear upward trend both in sales values and rental costs, although developments varied significantly by country.
Bulgaria is preparing to open new border crossings with both Serbia and Turkey as part of efforts to improve regional connectivity, the Cabinet’s press service reported
Bulgaria has emerged as Europe’s top exporter of black caviar, according to Assoc. Prof. Violin Raykov from the Institute of Oceanology at the Bulgarian
During the first eleven months of 2025, Bulgaria’s exports to countries outside the European Union reached 27.55 billion leva (€14.1 billion), marking a slight decline of 2.1% compared to the same period in 2024
Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev addressed the issue of labor imports in parliament, stating that bringing in workers from non-EU countries is only a temporary solution.
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