Bulgaria Moves to Prioritize Local Food in Supermarkets
A proposed Bulgarian law would mandate supermarkets to stock high percentages of local dairy and meat products while enforcing strict pricing limits across the supply chain.
Focus on Bulgarian Products
Bulgaria’s government has reopened public consultation on a draft law aimed at strengthening the presence of locally produced food in large retail chains. The legislation requires that at least 50% of meat, eggs, honey, and sunflower oil in major supermarkets be sourced from Bulgarian producers. For dairy products such as milk and cheese, the requirement rises to 80%.
Strengthened After Industry Feedback
Initially introduced by Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov in March, the bill was revised following stakeholder input. One key change was increasing the local dairy share from 50% to 80%, reflecting demands from domestic producers.
Price Controls and Penalties
The proposal also introduces strict markup limits throughout the supply chain. Processors would be limited to a 20% markup over production costs, and wholesalers could collectively add no more than 10%. Large retailers—with annual revenue over BGN 20 million—would be capped at a 20% markup over their purchase prices. A minimum 10% profit margin for agricultural products is guaranteed.
Violators could face fines of up to BGN 10,000, which triple for repeated infractions. The Council of Ministers will decide which specific food categories fall under these pricing rules, although the selection criteria have not yet been defined.
Concerns from Industry
Despite the intention to support local agriculture, supply chain representatives have warned the regulation could lead to increased prices in other food categories, as businesses compensate for restricted margins on regulated goods.
Public Input Open
The draft bill is available for public comment until August 12, offering stakeholders and consumers a final chance to weigh in.