Poor weather across much of the Black Sea region in March and April has severely impacted many crops, including in Bulgaria where assessments on lavender are currently taking place.
In northern Bulgaria, below normal temperatures and a late snow have been major factors whilst in the south, heavy rains and hail have also played a part in what is looking like a poor season ahead for the Bulgarians.
Whilst lavender is more durable to any harsh winter conditions there is only so much the plant can take before it starts to suffer.
The lavender plantations in Bulgaria are spread across many regions (unlike rose), which means that if one area suffers another may escape but in the case of the southern areas the news doesn’t look good.
It is claimed that after the cold winter and the recent rains and hail there is a lot of damage to many of the older plantations with talk already suggesting losses of 25-30% for the season ahead. This could represent as much as 80-100 MT of oil if we assume last year’s figures of 280+ MT.
It may be too early to draw conclusions but it doesn’t help market prices today which have risen from €45 /kilo after last year’s bumper crop to nearer €80 /kilo currently. Supplies today are limited and if we are to believe that all last year’s crop was sold and consumed, then this level of deficit in this year’s supply could mean major issues and big price increases for the market.
Ultra International B.V.
