Drought devastates Bulgaria corn harvest

Bulgaria’s agriculture ministry has requested emergency assistance from the European Agricultural Reserve after severe drought destroyed 37,000 decares of corn and reduced yields across multiple crops. Official data indicates corn production in the Dobrudja region averaged just 217 kilograms per decare, down from 750 kilograms in 2021, with some fields yielding as little as 10 kilograms per decare.

Radostina Zhekova, who chairs the Dobrudja Union of Grain Producers, reported that her operation faces losses approaching 300,000 leva this season. Extreme temperature swings in spring, including minus 18 degrees followed by readings exceeding 30 degrees within 10 days, damaged wheat crops and contributed to yields falling 20 percent below normal levels. Sunflower production also suffered, with average returns of 140 kilograms per hectare falling short of cultivation costs.

Farmers indicate that financial institutions have become reluctant to extend additional credit, raising concerns about supplier payment defaults and potential bankruptcies. Land rental rates are expected to decline substantially from previous levels as producers shift toward autumn crops, though oversupply risks exist given similar planting trends across neighboring Black Sea countries.