Addressing the parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food and Forestry on Thursday, Minister of Agriculture and Food Plamen Abrovski said that the government’s package of measures meant to address the high fuel prices will benefit not just a few major agricultural producers but many more.
The minister’s comment came in response to Continue the Change leader Assen Vassilev who on September 18 addressed the ruling party, Progressive Bulgaria (PB), in Parliament, saying: “What you are doing is being done with a single goal – to disadvantage people on the minimum wage so that you are left with more money. You said that you would provide 100 million in fuel subsidies to 20 farming families with Maybachs and 30 million to 550,000 citizens. These are your priorities.” Vassilev urged PB to admit to working to benefit the oligarchy.
Abrovski said that Vassilev’s statement is not supported by any evidence. The minister added that the measures will be provided on the basis of a mechanism set up by the European Commission (EC). The Bulgarian government has earmarked EUR 170 million for this mechanism. The goal is for farmers to receive compensation for the difference between diesel prices in 2025 and those following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. “It is no coincidence that we have deferred this compensation in order to ensure it is far more effective and perfectly timed,” Abrovski added.
The minister said that the second reason for allocating these funds was to compensate for the difference in fertilizer prices between 2025 and 2026. “The simple calculation that the EC has made and incorporated into its general rules is not to allow aid concentration or a ceiling of EUR 50,000 per farmer,” he said.
Of the total amount of aid, EUR 100 million is earmarked to cover the difference in diesel prices, which will go to over 14,000 producers, with compensation amounting to EUR 0.44 per litre. Combined with all existing state aid, this amounts to support for Bulgarian farmers of nearly EUR 0.73 per litre.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Krum Nedelkov specified that between 25 and 30% of the fuel support under the aid mechanism will be directed towards the livestock sector. Livestock farmers are also set to receive support in the form of fertilizers for fodder crops. Thus, the total percentage of support could reach 35 to 40% of the total aid.
Government’s High-Fuel-Prices Relief Meant to Benefit Not Just a Few Farmers, Says Minister THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-24 17:06:46
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