Mariana Kukusheva, Chairperson of the National Branch Union of Bakers and Confectioners – member of the Council of Branch Organizations at the BCCI, was guest of the Bulgarian National Radio´.
This comes after it became clear that wheat trading in the region is in a severe collapse, following actions taken by the world's largest container line to suspend all new bookings for the port of Novorossiysk, while around 80 vessels are blocked in the Sulina Channel of the Danube River. Meanwhile, exports from Ukraine via rail networks have recorded a significant drop of almost 80% year-on-year due to intense air attacks.
"Besides Russia's war in Ukraine, the hindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz also impacts the price of wheat," she explained. "Wheat logistics is proving to be a major expense because oil and its price are changing on a weekly basis.
August was an active month in terms of sales for Bulgarian producers. The new harvest is expected to be around 6.5 million tons. The carryover stock is 2.5 million. Nine million tons is an exceptionally large amount for Bulgaria. Demand for Bulgarian wheat is growing. However, we truly have major problems regarding rail transport. Adding the impossibility of real river transport along the Danube, the situation is extraordinary, and a solution cannot be swift or predictable."
Kukusheva expects the price of flour to start rising. For the time being, however, bread in domestic stores is among the products with the most stable prices, she noted. "The most stable over the past eight months. They are not changing as with other food products."
The explanation that someone will administratively calculate and establish a fair price for a given product is beyond ridiculous, the Chairperson of the National Branch Union of Bakers and Confectioners further commented.
"Business operates to pay wages, replenish social security funds, pay taxes, repay loans, improve its production, meet all growing environmental standards, and maintain market behavior. The competition is beyond fierce.
We are being asked for data concerning the commercial and technological security of every enterprise. The question remains: who and how will guarantee the preservation of this trade secret that will have to be submitted to the relevant authority? Who and how will calculate the price? Who will determine how much we pay workers? How much are our energy costs?
We believe that the Commission for Protection of Competition will be more decisive and will not allow the introduction of such voluntary collection of sensitive information."
The business sector has sent its position paper to the institutions, Kukusheva added.