CHERRY PRODUCERS STAGE A PROTEST

On 2nd of July, cherry producers from the South Bulgarian region of Kyustendil staged a protest in front of the building of the local municipality. The protest is because of the low purchase prices this year. At the moment, cherries are purchased for 60 stotinki (0.60 BGN) per kilogramme, which according to the producers does not cover their costs.

The producers in Kyustendil said that every year there is a problem with the purchase price during the cherry picking season, but this year the issue is more serious, because of Russia’s embargo on food import. The cherry growers threaten to stop picking the cherries.

Mayors of villages with large cherry orchards in the region also joined the protest.

According to the Mayor of the town of Kyustendil, Petar Paunov, a quick solution to the problem would be to set up an association of the cherry producers from the region. He insists that compensations are paid, at the size of 250 Euro, by the state, to support the cherry growers who suffered losses as a result of Russia’s embargo.

As soon as the protest was over, an association of the cherry producers from the region was set up to protect their interests.