SOFIA, February 25, 2026 – The development of short food supply chains can be encouraged through the construction of appropriate infrastructure, including local logistics centres, regional markets, trading hubs and storage facilities, according to Rosen Karadimov, Chair of the Bulgarian Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC).
Speaking at a meeting of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, Karadimov presented interim results of the CPC’s sector inquiry into the food market and outlined conclusions aimed at addressing structural problems in the sector, with a focus on local policies.
He stated that such infrastructure could be financed through targeted European or national funds, with the active participation of the state, municipalities and businesses, including through public-private partnerships. According to Karadimov, the establishment of regional logistics infrastructure would allow the purchase and distribution of local production within the respective region, reduce intermediary costs and promote more transparent pricing.
He added that developing regional logistics infrastructure is a strategic step toward more balanced economic development, strengthening local production and ensuring more affordable and higher-quality food products for Bulgarian consumers. The creation of partnerships among producers in the form of cooperatives and other models for collective direct sales was also highlighted as a measure to promote short supply chains.
The sector inquiry identified significant imbalances across the food supply chain, particularly in less developed regions. Data presented showed that the dairy sector is highly concentrated. Imports of dairy products have increased by 43% over the past five years, while domestic production has declined, including fresh milk by 8%, cheese by 9%, yellow cheese by 14%, eggs by 17% and raw milk by 25%. The Commission is conducting an in-depth examination of production, processing and trade in the dairy sector.
Karadimov also noted that traditional trade is affected by the presence of numerous intermediaries and long supply chains, resulting in low added value for producers. He stated that this places significant pressure on Bulgarian producers and leads to structural market distortions.
The findings and recommendations of the interim sector inquiry have been submitted to the executive and legislative authorities for administrative and legislative measures to improve the competitive environment.
Karadimov emphasised that the CPC does not have direct powers under the Law on the Introduction of the Euro to regulate prices, noting that this competence lies with the National Revenue Agency and the Consumer Protection Commission, to which the CPC has already sent the collected information.
He further stated that the Commission’s work has contributed to stabilising prices of essential food products in major retail chains since August last year. Following dialogue with the chains and based on the authority’s competition powers, retailers froze prices on a number of products and expanded their promotional campaigns.
Source: https://www.cpc.bg/news-480
