17. Impact of policies on the fruit production sector – achievements and lessons for the next programming period

The strategic goal of the first programming period of application of the CAP and RDP (2007–2013) was creating competitive and efficient farms. The article summarizes the results of a study aimed at analysis and evaluation of policies and their effects. For the purpose of the study we: conducted a survey of randomly selected producers of four planning regions of Bulgaria; analysed the national policy and CAP in the sector of fruit growing; studied the factors leading to higher investment activity and access to finance.The article attempts to provide recommendations for the next programming period.