In Bulgaria, local mushrooms such as white mushrooms are reported to be wormy and of poor quality. Therefore, Bulgarian companies are increasingly favouring imports from Romania, as stated by Julian Kolev, Chairman of the Association of Forest Mushroom and Fruit Processors.
Currently, the focus lies on processing duck feet, primarily exported to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, and the Netherlands. Prices range between 3.1–5.1 euros, with white mushrooms, though scarce, priced around 3.1–3.6 euros per kilogram.
With 99% of the produce being exported due to limited local consumption, Kolev notes Bulgarians rarely include mushrooms in their diets, often opting for frozen ones. Quality mushrooms are mostly found in upscale urban restaurants.
Bulgaria boasts 12 commercial mushroom species and over 200 varieties grow in its forests. Despite favourable weather and recent rains, producers admit to a shortage due to a lack of pickers. Villages, especially in mountainous regions like the Rhodope Mountains and the Balkan Range, are facing depopulation, resulting in a dwindling workforce. With fewer mushroom enthusiasts each year seeking steady employment, the weekly mushroom yield fluctuates, presenting a cautious outlook for the season, as stated by Kolev.
source: omvesti.ru