The 2021 grape harvest is expected to be 20 per cent higher than last year's told Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Prof.Dr. Hristo Bozukov. He, along with Vice President Iliana Yotova, attended the start of harvesting in a vineyard near the southwestern village of Harsovo, Sandanski Municipality.
“Overall, 145,000 tonnes of wine grape and 100 million litres of wine are expected to be produced this year”, added the Agriculture Minister. “The grapes are expected to have high sugar content and good quality indicators”. In addition, Prof. Bozukov pointed out that Bulgarian wine is highly competitive and ways should be found to broaden its market abroad.
Minister Bozukov pointed out that State Fund Agriculture has paid vine-growers nearly BGN 12.5 million for June, July and August under various measures of the National Support Programme in the Wine Sector 2019 - 2023. The wine sector will receive support through the anti-COVID measures as well after the state budget was updated.
During his visit, Minister Bozukov held a meeting with representatives of the sector, where they discussed the opportunities for broadening the wine markets, as well as the targeted support for the sector.