Fruits in Bulgaria

We would like to just mention the important fact – in Bulgaria as a whole we have seen a large number of fruits, including many different types of berries.

In Bulgaria you can find exotic fruits such as kiwi, figs, pomegranates, peaches, as well as the more usual fruits such as apples, plums, grapes, watermelons and melons. What is remarkable – they are literally grown in the yards of villas.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that you should head to a resort with a market that sells these fruits at regular prices. Only there you will be able to sample and buy your favorite produce.

So far, from the many sites that we encountered, we found out that there is no such thing as a “fruit market” in most Bulgarian resorts that we have been to. Even in popular resorts such as Sunny Beach or Nessebar you cannot find an actual “fruit market” in them. But in Pomorie, there is an excellent street market near the bus station that boasts affordable produce. Shopping there is quite an experience. It is best to ask the locals about such markets, and they will tell you the best markets to shop.

Another little tip: mainly in the market you can (and you really should) choose the goods you like by yourself. There are sellers, who prohibit you from choosing your preferred goods (although there are very few of them). Their prices may be little lower, but goods are, well, not so good.

Prices for fruits in Bulgaria

Prices for local fruits in the country are very democratic. Here you can make good and cheap purchases, if you know where to get them. Buying fruits supermarkets and groceries is usually a bit more expensive and, of course, you can not taste the products before buying. But in the fruit market, you are allowed to taste and sample a lot of produce, and to choose your own favorite fruits.

Seasonal roadside markets are also popular in Bulgaria. Most of the time, the vendors are selling produce that they have picked from the surrounding gardens and fields, which make them a lot cheaper. Their location are well known to locals.

The price largely depends on where the fruits are grown. Of course, when they sell imported fruits such as those from Italy and Greece for example, expect that their prices will be about twice as expensive as the local fruits.

Also, the cost of vitamins depends on the resort. In more popular cities and resorts, their prices and demand usually go higher.

The best way to enjoy cheap fruits is to have them when they are in season. When we stayed in Bulgaria last summer, it was just the perfect season for peaches, grapes and figs, which reached their ripening stages. So we managed to eat plenty of these fruits.

What kind of berries and fruits are growing in Bulgaria?

In Bulgaria there are a lot of different fruits and berries. For your convenience, we offer you a list of local fruits and berries with prices for them (what we actually saw).

Local fruits:

  • peaches – 0.8-5.6 levs/kg;
  • nectarines – от 1.8 levs/kg;
  • apples – от 0.7 levs/kg;
  • pears -2.5 levs/kg;
  • plums – 1-1.2 levs/kg;
  • figs – 2-4.5 levs/kg;
  • kiwi – 4 levs/kg;
  • persimmon;
  • pomegranates.

Local berries:

  • strawberries – from 2.5 levs per a small cup;
  • cherries – 2-4 levs/kg в сезон;
  • olives;
  • grapes – 1.0-5 levs/kg;
  • watermelons – от 0.5 levs/kg;
  • melons -от 0.5 levs/kg;
  • raspberries – от 2.5 levs per a small cup;
  • blackberries – от 2.5 levs per a small cup;
  • blueberries – от 2.5 levs per a small cup;
  • almonds – 12 levs/kg.

berries-fruits

Seasonal fruits in Bulgaria

At harvest time the seasonal fruits in Bulgaria are not only cheaper, but also richer with vitamins. For your convenience, we indicate when at the shelves are beginning to appear local fruits, and therefore prices for them are falling:

Spring

  • cherries.

Summer

  • strawberries;
  • pears;
  • apples;
  • plums;
  • raspberries;
  • blackberries;
  • peaches;
  • apricots;
  • watermelons;
  • melons;
  • grapes;
  • blueberries;
  • figs.

Autumn

  • pears;
  • apples;
  • peaches;
  • grapes;
  • quince;
  • almonnds;
  • kiwi;
  • figs;
  • persimmon;
  • pomegranates.

Winter

  • pears;
  • apples;
  • grapes.

This list is based on mass maturing of fruits, but the above-mentioned goodies can be found in the off-season as well. For instance, even during the autumn the markets were still selling strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, melons and watermelons. So you can be assured of vitamins from these fruits all year round.

Interesting facts about fruits in Bulgaria

Upon arriving in Bulgaria, you may be surprised to see numerous vast yards that grow figs. Figs are popular in the country that they are sold in many markets. Aside from fresh figs, you can also find a lot of products made from them such as fig jams and a local brandy called “rakia.”

Sometimes on Bulgarian streets you can see olive trees, but they do not grow prolifically as they do in other countries such as Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain. So far, we could not find olives not in open markets, but in supermarkets – a great choice for different prices.

Here in Pomorie, if you are lucky enough to get there — on the way to the Thracian tomb, you can see the kiwi fields. Although this “garden” looks a little abandoned, it is guarded by dogs, so it is better not to tempt fate and not to go there for fruits.

A word of advice to inexperienced tourists

Throughout the holiday we’ve seen a lot of cities with growing fruits in them. Therefore, I would like to remind a common truth: if you are not sure what kind of fruit is growing “in an accessible” location (and sometimes even if unsure) do not rush to tear it and eat. Probably it is not edible, or located on a private territory. In addition, fruits that look edible, in fact may not be tasty – they may actually turn out to be sour or acrid.

If you buy fruits from the open markets, it is best to eat them right away, or put them into the refrigerator. Although Bulgaria is not such a hot country as Montenegro, no one wants to take risks and spend precious vacation days lying in the room with the stomach flu.

Another important point about purchasing fruits: they are often sold very cheaply at the market. As a rule, these are rotten fruits (apricots, plums or apples), that are used for making rakia (the local brew). Of course, you can not eat such fruits.

Useful links and interesting information: