Interview with Ventsislav Kaymakanov - president of the National Association of potato growers

Mr Kaymakanov, is the potato crop in Bulgaria already harvested?

Ventsislav Kaymakanov: No, we are in the very beginning of the harvest. As a result of the climate conditions, the rain, in particular, there was a delay in the harvest of the potatoes that were left in May.

What are your expectations for this year’s crop compared with the previous year?

Ventsislav Kaymakanov: Our expectations are highly negative. The harvest will be around 50% smaller compared with the previous year. It will be a huge achievement if we manage to produce between 80,000 and 100,000 tons.

What is the state of the crop with regard to the unfavourable meteorological conditions in Bulgaria?

Ventsislav Kaymakanov: It is very hard and complicated. The bad meteorological conditions bore a highly negative effect, starting at the very beginning, starting with the planting of potatoes. We reported a loss yet at this initial stage, acreages were lost because of the pouring rain and the floods that followed.

After that, there was a draught, which also had a negative effect on the potatoes.

Possible following rainfall will cause even bigger harm to the crops.

Which regions in Bulgaria were most strongly affected?

Ventsislav Kaymakanov: The situation is almost the same everywhere – Smolyan, Gotse Delchev, Samokov.

Do you expect bankruptcies in the sector?

Ventsislav Kaymakanov: Yes, we expect many bankruptcies, since I have already witnessed the pain in the eyes of the colleagues – they do not expect anything, they cannot keep their engagements to the distributors, they cannot pay off the grains.

I hope that the next government will pay bigger attention to the agriculture. I hope that, if possible, there will be not only subsidies but also low-interest loans, so as to be able to start the next year.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/