Ivan Pachev, Director of Bulgaria's Pleven-based National Institute of Viticulture and Oenology, has said that this year's harvest will combine a high yield in vineyards with excellent quality in grapes, the sugar concentration being over 25%.

According to a media statement of the Agricultural Academy of Bulgaria, as cited by dnevnik.bg, a total of 250-260 000 tonnes of grape are to be harvested in the country.

The harvesting of the dessert grape varieties, which started two weeks earlier, has already reached an active phase.

Grape producers collect an average of 800-1000 kg of grapes per decare, up by 20-30% as compared to 2013.

The earlier harvesting is due to the lack of frosts in winter, the rainfall in June and early July, and the hot weather in August 2013.

Experts worry, however, that Bulgaria is failing to follow a global trend of growing production of dessert grape varieties because the country has lost its market niche.

In 2013, Bulgarian vine-growers are yet again expected to face the problem of low purchase prices of the grape harvest.

On August 28, the National Institute of Viticulture and Oenology in Bulgaria's northern city of Pleven will hold an Open Doors Day devoted to wine & dessert grape varieties.

The agenda of the Open Doors Day includes a presentation of types of specially selected types of grapes, discussions on opportunities for banks providing funding for grape growers, as well as a tasting of grapes and wines.

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