Free of charge

Wheat: No cooling off shower for rising local prices

November 16, 2017 at 7:49 AM , Starry Night Ltd.
Play report as audio

SOFIA. There seems to be enough evidence now to trace a stable rising price trend. Foreign and domestic demands support the rise in prices.

BULGARIA. Kudos should go to local farmers this year since the country’s aggregate output reached 5,900,000 mt – the highest in a period of at least two decades, according to a final estimate release by the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, the quality characteristics of this year’s harvest are overall superior than those of last year. During the previous season, the country produced milling and feed wheat in the amount of 5,662,721 mt while exports reached 4,168,623 mt or 73.62%, according to local authorities.

Wheat: prices find support against surplus production in the region

Foreign demand has been strong since the start of the marketing season this year, and the high quality of the grains support local prices. It has become an unspoken truth that there is a direct correlation between high quality grains and larger output, on one hand, and high exports on the other. Last year, the country recorded the highest exported volume of wheat for a period of at least twenty years. During the current marketing season, local market players expect an upgrade of last year’s exports.

       Harvest 2017-18

(01.07.2017 - 10.11.2017)

            units in MT

Beginning availability

179,000

Aggregate output

5,900,000

Imports

36,715

Domestic consumption

731,200

   food

360,000

   feed

178,000

   seeds

180,000

   industrial usage

13,200

Exports to the world

2,449,375

   to EU markets

2,160,512

   to rest of the world

288,863

Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, only via Varna seaport, by the 12th of November 2017, the country shipped abroad 1,329,474 mt or 42.8% higher than exported quantities by that time last year. The persistent and strong foreign demand supports rises in prices by a few euro on a weekly basis, which clearly indicates the tenacity of local market players.

Larger planted acreages expected

According to local authorities, by the 9th of November 2017, sowed acreages of arable land reached 1,009,088 ha, which on a year-to-year basis stand by 12% higher than planted hectares of last year.

Wheat, Bulgaria

Type

EUR/kg

milling wheat

0.144

feed wheat

0.136

EXW Bulgaria

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Grains
Oct 29, 2025
KYIV/DALIAN. Ukrainian farmers have harvested around 60% less millet than at this time last year. Shipments to the EU have also fallen by 24%.
Grains
Oct 29, 2025
DALIAN/MOSCOW. The availability of the new crop is stabilising supply on the Chinese market. Ukrainian farmers have still not completed the harvest. Russia's crop is expected to fall to a 20-year low.
Organic Commodities
Oct 15, 2025
BUENOS AIRES/NEW DELHI. Crop damage in South America is forcing buyers to look for alternative countries of origin. India appears to be the logical choice.
Grains
Oct 8, 2025
DALIAN/KYIV. In China, the new crop has recently become available on the market. Ukrainian farmers have completed more than 70% of the harvest. EU countries have more than doubled their buckwheat imports.