Free of charge

Almonds: Illegal price fixing in Bulgaria

November 16, 2016 at 9:15 AM , Der AUDITOR
Play report as audio

SOFIA. The almond market in Bulgaria is confronted with serious problems. Market participants are despairing.

The cartel
The prices are remarkably high in Bulgaria. Organic kernels are currently being sold for 11.25 EUR/kg and conventional kernels are traded in the range of 8.60 EUR/kg. Even the almonds imported from California, which tend to be as much 2.00 EUR/kg cheaper, have failed to have an impact on the market. The problem is that local farmers do not consider each other as competitors but rather work with each other as a cartel. They can afford to do this because demand exceeds supply by far. Even if the largest producer of organic almonds should decide to lower his prices on the market there would be no effect in the market. Prices are therefore destined to remain high.

Buyers are being deterred
Potential buyers from abroad are naturally deterred by these high prices and strategic partnerships stand no chance. Unless there is a considerable increase in acreage, the few big farmers will continue to set the prices and the others will happily follow.

 

Organic almonds, Bulgaria

type

EUR/kg

in shell

7.00

natural kernels, Nonpareil

11.25

natural kernels, Asparuh

11.25

natural kernels, Primorski

11.25

natural kernels, Start

11.25

natural kernels, Nikitski

11.25

almond paste

18.20

roasted kernels

15.45

EXW Bulgaria

 

Almonds, Bulgaria

type

EUR/kg

in shell

3.60

natural kernels. Nonpareil

8.65

natural kernels. Asparuh

8.60

natural kernels. Primorski

8.60

natural kernels. Start

8.60

natural kernels. Nikitski

8.65

almond paste

12.60

roasted kernels

11.40

EXW Bulgaria

 

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Nuts
Jul 28, 2025
NEW DELHI/ATLANTA. NAFED sales continue to exert pressure on the Indian peanut market and prices. In the USA, the outlook for the coming crop is good so far.
Nuts
Jul 24, 2025
ORDU. Heated debates persist over the estimates issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. Next week’s Exporters Union’s forecast is to bring more clarity on this year’s crop size for hazelnuts. Expectation is also that the base price will cause some headache.
Nuts
Jul 23, 2025
CAPE TOWN/NAIROBI. The threat of US tariffs on South African macadamias is causing suppliers there to focus more on the Chinese market. Kenya is tightening its regulations for raw macadamias, and EU buyers are investing significantly more.
Nuts
Jul 23, 2025
TEHRAN. Exports have been strong for Iranian pistachios this season so far. The conflict with Israel and the US has only had a limited impact on shipments. A severe heatwave is currently gripping the country.