Bulgaria secures support for rose production and the continuation of Transitional National Aid after 2027

At its meeting on October 26, 2026, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council reached an agreement on a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament regarding the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027. Bulgaria successfully defended its priorities to secure support for rose production and to continue transitional national aid beyond 2027.

Minister Abrovsky convinced the agriculture ministers of the other Member States and the Irish Presidency that support must be provided for this emblematic Bulgarian crop. This is crucial given the serious challenges rose growers have faced in recent years, including shrinking cultivation areas, low purchase prices, high production costs, and labor shortages.

Minister Abrovsky also defended the national position on maintaining transitional national aid after 2027 to prevent a sharp decline in support for sensitive agricultural sectors.

Regarding the ongoing negotiations for the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2028–2034 period, Minister Abrovsky emphasized the need to ensure fair payments under the Common Agricultural Policy and to achieve full external convergence of payment levels among Member States.

He further insisted that the reduction and capping of degressive area payments should remain voluntary for Member States, providing sufficient flexibility to accommodate their agricultural structures and national specificities.

"We believe that the option to deduct labor costs related to the agricultural activities of beneficiaries must be preserved before the application of payment reductions and caps," Minister Abrovsky stated.

He also stressed the importance of guaranteeing stable financing for rural development policy, including LEADER and interventions for knowledge and innovation within the National and Regional Partnership Plan.

"We continue to believe that transitional measures are necessary to ensure the continuity of support for farmers," Abrovsky added.

During the meeting, the agriculture ministers discussed how Member States and the European Commission (EC) could work to better utilize the EU's expanding network of trade agreements to create new export opportunities for the agri-food sector.

Minister Abrovsky noted that measures focused on better information and administrative support for small businesses are particularly important for Bulgaria.

"We believe it would be highly beneficial to provide funding for the establishment of export cooperatives, uniting the production of multiple local farmers under a common brand for foreign markets. To overcome non-tariff barriers, it is vital that the EC insists trade partners treat the entire European Union as a single entity with a common and equally secure food safety system," he specified.