Government approved additional BGN 200 million to support Bulgarian farmers

The government approved an additional 200 million BGN in the budget of the State Fund "Agriculture" for the so-called "Ukrainian aid" for farmers for 2024, the government press service said on October 7.

The aid is intended to compensate for economic losses due to the war in Ukraine.

The funds are allocated for the payment of part of the second tranche worth a total of 325 million BGN under state aid schemes to support the liquidity of farmers, producers of cereals and oilseeds to overcome the negative economic impact of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

BGN 100 million will be paid to support farmers in primary agricultural production - breeders of large and small ruminants and bee colonies, and producers of fruit and vegetables, oil rose, wine vines and tobacco.

The government decree on the additional funds was adopted by default on the last day of the last working week, the press office added.

In May, the caretaker cabinet secured and disbursed the full amount of the first tranche of the "Ukrainian aid" for farmers in the amount of nearly BGN 300 million. The support was provided to over 51 000 producers.

The news of the approved 200 million BGN comes against the background of the protest readiness announced by the branch organisations in agriculture. Payments under the second tranche should have been completed by 30 September, but this did not happen. Grain growers, sheep farmers, organic food producers and members of the Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Producers said on Friday that if the Ukrainian aid payments were postponed for a fifth time they would come out in protest.