Vine-growers from Montana, Lom, Vratsa and Vidin temporarily blocked the E-79 road, and threw away grapes near the entrance of the town of Montana. The protest is organized by the National Association of Bulgarian Vine-Growers and is a continuation of the protest which took place in Southern Bulgaria. The vine-growers are protesting against unfair competition and the “ruinous import of cheap, subsidized grapes and wine”.

The farmers are demanding an urgent update of the state budget by 30 million euro and the alignment of the aid for the sector with the level of subsidies for the sector in the EU. The protesters are saying that grape prices – 25-30 eurocents per kg. – are humiliatingly low and do not cover the production costs. The subsidy in Bulgaria is 135 euro per hectare of vineyards, whereas in the EU it is 200-500 euro.