In 2025, Bulgaria is expected to face a near-total absence of locally grown sweet cherries after severe April frosts destroyed the majority of the crop. According to bourgas.ru, more than 90% of the cherry harvest was lost, with only minimal production expected, and at significantly higher prices than last year.
Miroslav Chernikov, a board member of the Danube Union of Fruit Growers, stated that this year's cherry season has essentially failed. "Where production is still possible, volumes will be low, and prices much higher," he explained.
Neighboring countries have also experienced losses and are prioritizing their domestic markets, limiting export opportunities. As a result, imported cherries will be scarce and costly.
By early May, cherries began appearing in Bulgarian stores, imported from neighboring Greece. Due to high prices, supermarkets are offering smaller package sizes. In Kyustendil, a 250-gram pack was priced at 11.99 BGN (approx. €6.13), meaning a kilogram costs around 47.96 BGN (approx. €24.50).
Source: bourgas.ru