Prime Minister Rumen Radev: We launch open and constructive dialog on fair pricing and global food strategy

Prime Minister Rumen Radev: We launch open and constructive dialog on fair pricing and global food strategy

14.05.2026

he continuously rising food prices and the declining purchasing power of Bulgarian citizens call for adequate and timely measures. Today we launch an open and constructive dialog on the matter so as to have fair retail prices and a global strategy for the food sector. It is a must that we achieve results for the sake of the Bulgarian citizens who expect action from all of us. This statement was made by Prime Minister Rumen Radev at the opening of the meeting in the Council of Ministers on measures to rein prices. The discussion is an initiative of the Prime Minister and is attended by cabinet ministers, members of regulatory and control agencies, of trade unions and employers' organizations that are nationally represented and of branch organizations in the agriculture and food sector.

The Prime Minister drew attention to the fact that there exist global factors such as electricity and transport prices, which cannot be controlled, but also national factors on which food prices depend. As example, Rumen Radev cited the structure of the supply chains, the importance of honest relations between the producer, seller and end buyer, the counteraction of unfair trading practices and the enforcement of clear regulations and control instruments. It is these factors that have a significant impact on domestic production and that should be addressed. As a first step, the cabinet has already proposed legislative amendments that are drafted on the basis of successful European policies for the protection of competition and the fight against unfair trading practices.

"In no way will the government interfere in the market," Prime Minister Rumen Radev stressed while he noted the importance of effective regulations and control instruments, with an emphasis on the protection of Bulgarian consumers and producers and the clear relations between all actors in the production-supply-consumption chain. "Without these regulations and control instruments in place, the market easily turns into a jungle," Rumen Radev said and added that being a democratic European country, Bulgaria must employ these strong instruments.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev gave special attention to the Bulgarian industry's condition. He referred to reports of the Commission on Protection of Competition and of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to warn against the danger of the disappearance of domestic products from the Bulgarian table if today's speed of decline continues. "It is a major problem since vigorous domestic production is a matter of food security and sovereignty and a matter of national security. So, this is a priority policy for the Bulgarian government," Rumen Radev said.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to map out both midterm and long-term measures. He gave as an example the conditions for cooperation, for irrigation, for short supply chains and for quality control. "Actually, it is critically important what we put on the Bulgarian table," Rumen Radev emphasized. As he said, it is necessary for all these issues to be openly put on the discussion table and to have an honest and constructive dialog between all parties.