Bulgaria tightens dairy import controls with enhanced border testing

BULGARIA – The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has introduced enhanced monitoring at border checkpoints for every shipment of raw milk originating from EU member states and third countries.

The stricter controls will include laboratory testing for the total number of microorganisms, an indicator of the cleanliness of raw milk; the somatic cell count, which reflects the health status of dairy animals; as well as screening for the presence of preservatives and aflatoxin M1.

Enhanced monitoring will also apply to every shipment of milk concentrate imported from the EU and third countries. These consignments will undergo laboratory analyses for total microbial counts and mould contamination, including aflatoxin M1.

For milk powder and whey powder, inspections will additionally include tests for salmonella and staphylococcal toxins.

Every shipment of butter will be subject to laboratory analyses for salmonella and other hazardous bacteria. Until test results are available, vehicles carrying the consignments will be required to remain at the border.

The decision follows an assessment of the results from intensified inspections carried out in May. According to the agency, 24% of the tested samples showed non-compliance with established standards.

The production of dairy products in Bulgaria is projected to reach approximately US$664 million (€613 million) by 2028, up from around US$598 million (€553 million) in 2023. This marks an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. Since 2013, the country’s dairy supply has seen a consistent annual increase of 1.4%.

 In 2023, Bulgaria ranked 24th globally in dairy production. Leading the rankings were Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, occupying the second, third, and fourth spots respectively.

Meanwhile, the sales of Bulgarian dairy products are expected to hit about US$728 million (€673 million) by 2028, rising from €603 million in 2023. This represents an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. Since 2013, the Bulgarian dairy market has grown modestly by 0.2% each year.

In 2023, Bulgaria was 24th in the global sales ranking. Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands once again secured the top positions.

In terms of consumption, Bulgaria’s dairy products demand is anticipated to reach approximately 545 million kilograms by 2028,  growing at an average annual rate of 1.3%.

Notably, since 2013, demand has surged by 3.5% annually. Italy, the United Kingdom, and France held the second, third, and fourth places in this consumption ranking.

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