Bulgaria's Sunflower Harvest Good, But Oil Prices Rise Despite Stable Seed Prices

Bulgaria's sunflower harvest is off to a good start this year, with high yields reported in some regions. However, despite the promising crop, farmers are not seeing a significant increase in profits due to rising costs of fertilizers, fuel, and other inputs.

The wholesale price of sunflower oil has increased by 10 cents to 1.76 euros per liter compared to last year, even though the price of sunflower seeds remains close to its previous level. This has left farmers struggling to make ends meet, with some complaining that they are being sold at a loss.

According to Radostina Zhekova, head of the Dobrudzha Union of Grain Producers and a board member of the National Association of Grain Producers (NAZ), 'Argentine sunflower came in, Bulgarian sunflower went out, exactly the same amounts.'