Bulgaria: 19 of 32 foods dearer at wholesale – row over mark-ups
Vegetables are driving wholesale prices up, according to the commodity exchanges commission. An economist calculates milk mark-ups above 100%, which dairy processors dispute.
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Nearly 60% of foods became more expensive at wholesale in a week – 19 of 32 products in the basket, BNT reported, citing the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets. The market price index rose 0.51% to 2.355 points. The biggest increases were courgettes (up 11.62% to €0.98/kg), lettuce (up 9.86%), potatoes (up 8.25%) and green peppers (up 6.62%). Lemons (down 4.79%), lentils and grapes got cheaper.
Shteryo Nozharov of Sofia's University of National and World Economy calculated that producing a litre of 3% milk costs about €0.46, while fresh milk sells for about €1.05 to €1.21 – mark-ups of more than 100%. He said price rises come from the whole supply chain, not only retailers.
Dimitar Zorov, chairman of the dairy processors' association, rejected the accusations, saying suppliers' prices inevitably go up. The association does not disclose its mark-ups. Retail fuel prices were unchanged during the week.