Once-famous Bulgaria’s canning industry has today slowed its production growth and is awaiting investors, whereas its output used to be among the largest in Europe and employment numbered in the thousands. After the collapse of the Eastern Bloc and the loss of guaranteed access to its markets, long-standing problems with the quality of raw materials and finished products dealt a serious blow to the sector.

According to Bulgarian radio, in 1989 this Balkan country produced 900,000 tons of canned goods; today, that figure is only 150,000 tons — six times less. The canning industry is operating at less than 30% of its capacity.

One of the main reasons is linked to raw materials: over 30 years, fruit and vegetable production in the country has fallen more than tenfold. “More than 70% of the market belongs to retail chains that put enormous pressure on us, driving down prices — this is how globalization works,” laments Stoyko Kirovski, chairman of the Union of Fruit and Vegetable Processors.