Cucumbers, Chicken, Apples and Bread Among the Goods Seen the Highest Price Rises over Past Six Months

Cucumbers, chicken, apples and bread are among the goods that have seen the sharpest price increases over the past six months, according to data from the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB). Since June, the union has been monitoring the prices of 21 essential food items in more than 600 retail outlets across the country.

The figures show that the cost of a basic consumer basket rose by around 1% in November, reaching 112 leva.

Almost every day, Emil and Pravda Mavrodievi say they encounter new prices when they go shopping.

Emil Mavrodiev:
“At first it was by a few cents, but it’s happening every day now.”

Pravda Mavrodieva:
“Cucumbers are really expensive. Tomatoes have also started going up. And nuts — not to mention them. Last year walnuts were 18 leva, this year they’re 22 to 24 leva, which is a lot. A lot.”

The couple carefully calculate and allocate their household budget to make it through the month.

Pravda Mavrodieva:
“We buy only the absolute essentials, mainly food. We’re coping for now, but whether we’ll manage after January is a big question — a very big question that worries us.”

According to CITUB, cucumbers recorded the largest increase in November, rising by an average of 12%.

Nikolay Ivanov, trader:
“It’s significant because in winter there aren’t many cucumbers available, and that’s why prices turn out like this.”

How much are cucumbers selling for at the moment?
“About 6 to 7 leva per kilo.”

To cope with rising prices and low incomes, many people say they shop only for discounted goods at large supermarket chains.

Dafinka Dimitrova:
“That’s why we rush to the chains — because there are promotions. Sometimes discounts are 40 to 50%. Oil that was 4 or 5 leva is now 2.79 leva — that’s a big difference. When you buy several items on promotion, at least you feel happy that you’ve saved something.”

CITUB has warned that from 1 January nearly 470,000 public sector workers are expecting pay rises. These include teachers, healthcare professionals, junior doctors, laboratory staff and employees in other public services. Without the adoption of a new budget, incomes in the public sector are at risk, the unions say.