The global grain shortage due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine can be overcome by one country. Bulgaria is expected to export more than 75% of its annual wheat harvest after scrapping plans to increase domestic grain stocks.
Bulgaria eased the world’s wheat crisis. They themselves will eat grain for the animals. | Video: Free Radio Europe
Most of the country’s high-quality wheat will be shipped to world markets to help reduce shortages caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In addition, local farmers and traders will benefit from rising wheat prices. However, this also means that Bulgarian bread will continue to be made from lower quality grains, which are usually used as animal feed.
“Ninety percent of this wheat is animal feed, only seven to 10 percent of the best wheat for bread. However, Bulgarians are used to eating bread made from fodder wheat, so this is not a problem. Quality wheat for bread is exported to Greece and other countries,” claims farmer Pavel Stojmenov from the village of Brest, located in the fertile Pleven region near the Danube.
Wheat used as animal feed became a product for the Bulgarians. “Most factories don’t work with high-quality grain. Low-quality grain is ground and additives are used. It is true that high-quality wheat is sold abroad,” admits grain trader Slavčo Gurgulejev.
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