Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s chili and pepper farming is long established, though total annual harvests have dropped to about 40,000 tonnes as of 2022. The fertile plains near Sofia and other regions support cultivation of up to 70 different pepper varieties, including Bulgarian heirlooms and international types.

Modernization and commercial scaling are evident, with new farms and start-ups expanding hot pepper and value-added product lines. Bulgaria exports processed peppers and hot sauces across Europe. Still, many Bulgarian growers face lower subsidies and increased competition, prompting ongoing efforts to preserve traditional flavours and support younger farmers entering the field.