Resume
Bulgarian apiculture has undergone a number of transformations since the accession of our country to the European Union. A significant part of these changes was due both to the opportunities provided for institutional support under a number of CAP programs and pillars and to the access to the Union’s Common Market. Compared to many other member states, Bulgarian producers have focused more on organic production, based on the expected higher economic results. Bulgarian apiculture has become largely an export-oriented sub-industry and direct sales to local consumers have changed. In the context of a pandemic, the role of short food supply chains, which are expected to meet the needs of the population, was considered. The analysis of short supply chains and in the case of bee products – direct sales is important in order to assess their potential for development of the sector.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the dynamics of direct sales of honey in Bulgaria for the period after 2014, examining their impact on the development of the sector. In order to achieve this goal it is necessary to solve the following tasks: to study the dynamics of direct sales of honey in Bulgaria for the period after 2014; to analyze the impact of these changes on the development of the sector and to present the main trends in it, and proposing solutions for its sustainable development.
Key words: apiculture, competitiveness, sustainability, local consumption