Almonds: Illegal price fixing in Bulgaria

November 16, 2016 at 9:15 AM , Der AUDITOR
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SOFIA. The almond market in Bulgaria is confronted with serious problems. Market participants are despairing.

The cartel
The prices are remarkably high in Bulgaria. Organic kernels are currently being sold for 11.25 EUR/kg and conventional kernels are traded in the range of 8.60 EUR/kg. Even the almonds imported from California, which tend to be as much 2.00 EUR/kg cheaper, have failed to have an impact on the market. The problem is that local farmers do not consider each other as competitors but rather work with each other as a cartel. They can afford to do this because demand exceeds supply by far. Even if the largest producer of organic almonds should decide to lower his prices on the market there would be no effect in the market. Prices are therefore destined to remain high.

Buyers are being deterred
Potential buyers from abroad are naturally deterred by these high prices and strategic partnerships stand no chance. Unless there is a considerable increase in acreage, the few big farmers will continue to set the prices and the others will happily follow.

 

Organic almonds, Bulgaria

type

EUR/kg

in shell

7.00

natural kernels, Nonpareil

11.25

natural kernels, Asparuh

11.25

natural kernels, Primorski

11.25

natural kernels, Start

11.25

natural kernels, Nikitski

11.25

almond paste

18.20

roasted kernels

15.45

EXW Bulgaria

 

Almonds, Bulgaria

type

EUR/kg

in shell

3.60

natural kernels. Nonpareil

8.65

natural kernels. Asparuh

8.60

natural kernels. Primorski

8.60

natural kernels. Start

8.60

natural kernels. Nikitski

8.65

almond paste

12.60

roasted kernels

11.40

EXW Bulgaria

 

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