Market Pulse: Dynamics of Food Prices in Bulgaria - Weekly Analysis

Official statistical data from the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Marketplaces (SCCЕМ) reveals another week with variable price trends in the food sector. The Market Price Index (MPI) registers a minimal growth of 0.45 percent, reaching 2.226 points, based on a baseline level of 1.000 points established back in 2005.

The vegetable market demonstrates significant volatility. The most drastic price increase is for cucumbers - with an impressive 22.72 percent, up to 2.15 leva per kilogram. Meanwhile, green peppers mark the most significant drop of 13.61 percent, trading at 1.93 leva per kilogram. Red peppers also become cheaper by 3.63 percent, reaching 2.76 leva per kilogram.

Additional declines are observed in mature onions - by 10.65 percent to 1.04 leva, cabbage - by 6.05 percent to 0.90 leva, potatoes - by 4.62 percent to 0.99 leva, tomatoes - by 9.47 percent to 2.47 leva, and carrots - by 5.41 percent to 1.19 leva per kilogram.

The fruit market shows different dynamics. Apricots become cheaper by 6.59 percent to 3.83 leva per kilogram, while lemons continue their upward price trend with a growth of 6.26 percent, reaching 4.38 leva per kilogram. Apples slightly decrease by 0.79 percent to 2.76 leva, peaches - by 4.92 percent to 3.63 leva, and watermelons - by 3.23 percent to 0.66 leva per kilogram.

Dairy products also undergo price changes. Cow's cheese increases by 0.95 percent to 11.74 leva per kilogram, while "Vitosha" type cheese decreases by 1.08 percent to 17.57 leva. Yogurt marks a growth of 3.28 percent, reaching 1.45 leva for a 400-gram package, and fresh milk slightly becomes cheaper by 0.43 percent to 2.32 leva per liter.

In the meat and animal products sector, frozen chicken meat becomes cheaper by 0.84 percent to 6.88 leva per kilogram, while eggs (size M) increase by 1.12 percent to 0.36 leva per piece wholesale. Cow's butter increases by 1.11 percent, offered at 3.09 leva for a 125-gram package.

Additional price changes affect basic food items. Rice becomes cheaper by 2.98 percent to 3.26 leva, type 500 flour increases by 2.90 percent to 1.56 leva, oil rises by 4.53 percent to 3.23 leva per liter. Sugar marks a slight drop of 0.66 percent to 1.81 leva. Mature beans and lentils register minimal increases of 0.58 and 0.95 percent respectively.