Price Dynamics Before Easter: Lamb, Eggs, and Fish Increase in Price, Vegetables and Strawberries Decrease

Price dynamics typical for the pre-Easter period: lamb and mutton, eggs, and fish register a slight increase, while winter vegetables and strawberries become significantly cheaper. This is shown by the data from the weekly analysis of the System for Agricultural Market Information (SAPI) for the eleventh week of 2026 (as of March 11), provided to BTA. The market for basic food products - bread, flour, oil and milk, remains stable.

Products with the largest price changes

The reporting period shows the biggest increase in mutton - by 5 percent up to 7.14 euros per kilogram, eggs (standard M) - by 4 percent to 0.29 euros per piece, carp - by 4 percent to 6.46 euros per kilogram, green peppers - by 4 percent to 4.21 euros per kilogram, lamb - by 3 percent to 14.93 euros per kilogram.

The increase in eggs, lamb and mutton is a typical pre-Easter model, registered every year in the period 3-6 weeks before Easter (this year - April 12). Consumers who are planning purchases for the holidays can benefit from early shopping - especially for lamb, the price of which traditionally reaches a peak in the week before Good Friday.

Lamb is traded in a wide regional range: from 4.73 euros per kilogram in Central Bulgaria (Veliko Tarnovo, Lovech, Pleven) to 9.69 euros per kilogram in Southern Bulgaria (Kardzhali, Stara Zagora, Haskovo). The difference of more than two times between the regions is structural - it reflects the proximity to livestock areas, not market anomalies.

Eggs (standard M) increase by 4 percent to an average national price of 0.29 euros per piece. There is also a significant regional difference: in Southern and Central Bulgaria the prices are 0.27-0.28 euros per piece, while in Western Bulgaria, Varna and the Black Sea coast - 0.29-0.30 euros per piece.

On the other hand, the biggest drop in prices is for cabbage - by 11 percent to 0.78 euros per kilogram, strawberries - by 11 percent to 7.79 euros per kilogram, greenhouse cucumbers - by 8 percent to 3.30 euros per kilogram, typical bread - by 3 percent to 1.55 euros per kilogram, grapes - by 3 percent to 4.88 euros per kilogram.

According to the analysis, cabbage and cucumbers are at the end of their winter season, which means that the supply is increasing and prices are normalizing. Cabbage is particularly affordable in Northwestern Bulgaria: Vidin and Montana offer prices around 0.50-0.52 euros per kilogram compared to 0.93-0.98 €/kg in Dobrich and Varna.

Strawberries surprise with a price drop despite the early seasonality. Imported strawberries from Greece and Spain are flooding the market at the end of winter, according to SAPI. The price range is wide: in Varna and Haskovo around 6 euros per kilogram, while in Montana and Pernik the prices are around 8 euros per kilogram.

Price stability is observed in the main food products. Bread marks a moderate drop (2-3 percent) - especially the typical bread and “Dobrudzha”, as white bread sells for an average of 1.54 percent. Sugar becomes cheaper by 2 percent to 1.25 euros per kilogram. Flour and oil remain unchanged and are traded respectively for 0.99 euros per kilogram and 1.99 euros per liter. According to SAPI, these signals are important: in a global inflationary environment and geopolitical tension, the stability of basic food products is an indicator of the good functioning of the domestic market.

The price of rice is down 1 percent to 2.43 euros per kilogram, while that of a bottle of fresh milk is up 1 percent to 1.80 euros per liter. Yogurt and “Vitosha” cheese remain at the same levels, selling for 0.79 euros per cup and 13.48 euros per kilogram, respectively.

Practical guide for consumers - Easter preparation

Geopolitical context - prices and risks

The analysis of the 11th week should be read in the context of international market trends, according to SAPI.

• Black Sea Grain Corridor: the ongoing tension in the Black Sea maintains uncertainty about the supply of grain and sunflower. The stability of bread and flour at the moment is due to the available warehouse stocks - the risk of price increases will increase if the conflict situation deepens after May.
• Spring seasonality in imports: the opening of the spring season normally increases the supply from Greece, Turkey and Spain (cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries). Geopolitical disturbances in the Balkans or customs difficulties would delay these deliveries and keep prices at higher levels.
• Energy costs and livestock: the price increase in lamb and mutton reflects not only seasonal demand, but also higher production costs - fodder, fuels, veterinary services. With a permanent increase in these components, the price level will not return to pre-Easter levels after Easter.
• Eggs and poultry farming: the egg market in the EU is under pressure due to outbreaks of avian influenza. Bulgaria is currently not affected, but preventive measures in neighboring countries may limit imports and increase the price increase.