The draft law on wine and spirits, published on September 15, 2025, by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, has been withdrawn from public discussion.
The bill, which provided for a limitation on the quantity of home-produced rakia, as well as the requirement that it be made only from fruits grown by the producer, provoked significant public reaction.
According to an official announcement by the Ministry, the comments received, especially from small producers, have necessitated further discussions and refinement of some of the texts.
In an atmosphere of lively debates, experts and representatives of the sector are discussing the future of traditional Bulgarian rakia production. The air is filled with anticipation and there is a feeling that a long-standing aspect of Bulgarian culture is about to change.
The Ministry plans further talks with representatives of the industry, including individuals for whom home wine production is a tradition. The aim is to achieve a balance between effective control and the preservation of Bulgarian traditions. After these consultations, the revised bill will be republished for public discussion.
Responsibility for policy regarding wine production and control in the viticulture and winemaking sector lies with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The competence of the Ministry of Economy and Industry extends to the production and control of spirits, including rakia.
The initial draft bill, published on the public consultation portal, aims to provide an up-to-date legal framework for regulating public relations in the viticulture and winemaking and spirits sector, in accordance with European legislation and the recommendations of the European Commission. Its purpose is to establish rules for the effective implementation of policy in these sectors.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov categorically opposed limiting the amount of wine and rakia produced by Bulgarian citizens at home. He stated that he had instructed the Minister of Agriculture, Georgi Takhov, to withdraw the bill from the public discussion platform. This decision was made yesterday and signals a significant influence of public opinion on the legislative process. It is evident that sensitivity has been shown towards the traditions and concerns of the producers, but it remains to be seen whether the revised bill will succeed in finding a balance between modernizing the sector and preserving the national identity, recreated in a bottle.