TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN BULGARIA TO GROW BY 20-40% IN 2012

Tobacco production in Bulgaria is expected to grow by 20-40% in 2012, according to Tsvetan Filev, Chair of the National Association of Tobacco Producers (NATP).

In a Friday interview for Darik Radio-Shumen, he explained that the increase had been made possible by a set of amendments to the Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act aimed at achieving a liberalization of the market and the removal of the licensing regime, as a result of which prices had risen by 40-50% in 2011.

Filev noted that the NATP had already opened its first regional office in the northeastern town of Dulovo and was about to open two other units in the southern cities of Kardzhali and Gotse Delchev.

Filev said that the referential period in which tobacco growers received money would be extended by another year

To mark the occasion, the Association organizes an information meeting with tobacco growers from the Burley sort Friday evening in the village of Iskra, Silistra municipality

In end-March, the NATP Chair announced that a long-term strategy for the development of tobacco production in Bulgaria was being drafted.

He clarified that the document would apply for the programming period 2014-2020 and would be in line with the EU Common Agricultural Policy.

Filev said that the strategy would be ready in three months' time.