Inflation in Bulgaria in March, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), is starting to rise. This is shown by the express preliminary estimate of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The monthly rate is expected to be 0.7 percent, and the annual rate - 3.9 percent. In February, on a monthly basis, it was 0.3 percent, and on an annual basis - 3.3 percent, and its January values ​​were respectively - 0.7 percent and 3.6 percent. In March 2026, compared to the previous month, an increase in prices is expected in the groups: "Transport" (5.5 percent), "Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products" (0.8 percent), "Information and communication" (0.8 percent) and "Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services" (0.8 percent). A decrease is expected in the groups: "Entertainment, sports and culture" (2.1 percent), "Clothing and footwear" (0.9 percent) and "Housing furnishings, household goods and services and for routine home maintenance" (0.2 percent). According to the NSI's express preliminary estimate in March 2026, the monthly change is expected to be 0.3 percent, and the annual change to be 2.6 percent. The prices of goods and services from the small basket for the lowest-income 20 percent of households compared to the previous month are expected to increase in services - by 0.7 percent and in food products - by 0.3 percent. The prices of goods in the "non-food goods" group are expected to remain unchanged.

Producer prices in Bulgaria increased in February on a monthly and annual basis. The growth compared to January in the producer price index was 0.1%, and compared to a year earlier it was 8.4%, data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI) show. For one year, the value of the producer price index on the domestic market increased by 8.4% above the level of February 2025. Price growth was registered in the extractive industry - by 46.3%, in the production and distribution of electricity, heat and gas - by 7.4%, as well as in the manufacturing industry - by 2.1%. Higher prices in the manufacturing industry are observed in: the production of basic metals - by 8.7%, the production of products from other non-metallic mineral raw materials - by 8%, the production of cars, trailers and semi-trailers - by 6.4%. The NSI reports a decrease in prices in: food production - by 1.2%, production of wood and products thereof, excluding furniture - by 1.1%, production of tobacco products - by 0.8%. According to NSI data, the producer price index on the domestic market increased by 9.1% compared to a year earlier. An increase in prices was observed in the extractive industry - by 29.8%, and in the production and distribution of electricity, heat and gas - by 6.1%, and a decrease was reported in the processing industry - by 0.6%. In February, lower prices in the processing industry compared to a year earlier were registered in: production of electrical equipment - by 7.9%, processing of leather; production of products from treated leather without hair - by 7.7%, production of wood and products thereof, excluding furniture - by 5.2%. Higher prices were recorded in the production of basic metals - by 8.7%, the production of medicinal substances and products - by 7.6%, the production of clothing - by 5.7%. The producer price index on the international market in February maintained its level compared to January and increased by 7.3% compared to a year earlier.

Bulgaria is in the Top 90 in terms of arable land, a World Bank report shows. NSI data for 2025 shows that the largest area of ​​agricultural production in the country (nearly two-thirds) is occupied by cereals, with wheat, corn and barley being the leaders. They are followed by oilseeds (mainly sunflower), meadows and annual fodder. Vegetables and flowers, as well as technical crops, are significantly smaller. According to the report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, suitable areas in the country that remain unused are nearly 2,000 sq. km. According to World Bank data, the area of ​​arable land worldwide is nearly 46.6 million sq. km. Although China is the fourth largest country in terms of land area, it occupies a leading position in terms of agricultural land with 5.1 million sq. km., which provides a livelihood for one-fifth of the country's population, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Unfavorable natural conditions put the leader in terms of land area, Russia, in fifth place. It is preceded by the USA (leading producer of corn), Australia (of cereals) and Brazil (of soybeans and sugar cane). The first entirely European country in the ranking is Ukraine, which occupies 25th place with 413 thousand sq. m. of arable land. Following it on the continent are France (41st) and Spain (45th). Bulgaria is in 88th place out of 209 analyzed countries with 50 thousand sq. km. of arable land. (According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, as of the end of 2025, arable land in Bulgaria is 32.2% of the total area of ​​Bulgaria). Among our neighbors, we are ahead of Turkey (33rd place), Romania (65th) and Greece (84th). Serbia and North Macedonia are in 102nd and 134th place, respectively. Other larger European countries such as Finland, Sweden and Norway also remain behind us in the ranking. The reasons for this coincide with those for Russia's lagging behind. The northern regions are expected to become more favorable for growing some crops. The problems with desertification in African countries will deepen, which will intensify the hunger and water shortage crisis. This is a serious danger given the fact that more than half of the most populous countries in the world are in Africa. These basic needs lead to problems such as illiteracy and the spread of diseases.

The leader in the ranking of the largest insurance brokers in our country is "SDI GROUP" EAD (SDI). This is shown by the data as of 31.12.2025 June of the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC). The insurance broker SDI has realized a total of 199,182,133 BGN (nearly 102 million EUR) in revenue. 199 million of it is for the benefit of insurers in Bulgaria, and 94 thousand BGN - for the benefit of insurers in another country. Commission income reaches record levels and crossed the 500 million BGN mark for the first time. They have grown by 12 percent on an annual basis to 537.7 million BGN (274.93 million EUR) for 2025. In 2024, they reached 480.5 million BGN compared to 423 million BGN a year earlier. In the previous three years, they amounted to 345.8 million BGN for 2022, as well as 305.9 and 286 million BGN for 2021 and 2020, respectively. In just 5 years, the business of insurance brokers has doubled, with commission income increasing from 251 million BGN to the current 537.7 million BGN for 2025, or 114% growth. Following SDI, which leads the ranking, are: "I&G Brokers" Ltd. - 190 million BGN, "MARSH" Ltd. - 176 million BGN, "GENERAL BROKER CLUB" Ltd. - 120 million BGN, "MUSSALA INSURANCE BROKER" Ltd. - 104 million BGN.

The implementation of Industrial Hub Plovdiv Ring West I has begun – the first modular industrial park in Bulgaria, created specifically for the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. The project is being implemented with the strategic partnership of GBS - Plovdiv AD – part of the Glavbolgarstroy corporate group. Industrial Hub Plovdiv Ring West I is located in a strategic location in the western part of Plovdiv – in close proximity to the ring road, at the exit towards Pazardzhik and close to METRO 2. The location provides quick access to the main transport corridors and an effective connection to the domestic market and Europe. The investment company Industrial Hub is developing a new concept for an industrial environment, created as a response to a real market need – the lack of affordable and functional industrial premises for ownership, tailored to the scale and dynamics of small and medium-sized businesses. The project offers an opportunity to transition from rental to ownership through modular spaces with a clear investment logic, long-term value and sustainability. Industrial Hub Plovdiv Ring West I includes 17 independent modular premises with a total built-up area of ​​nearly 5,000 sq m, distributed in two series – EXPO and BASE. The modular concept allows for flexible combinations and configuration according to the specific needs of the business – from trade and distribution to logistics, warehousing and services. The EXPO series combines a showroom, office and warehouse in one space and is aimed at companies with active commercial activities and a need for a representative environment. The BASE series offers functional and optimized spaces for logistics, warehousing and assembly activities, with a focus on efficiency and cost control. The industrial park will have an established infrastructure, including guaranteed electricity and water supply, convenient maneuvering areas for heavy goods vehicles, parking spaces, access control, 24/7 video surveillance and optical internet connectivity. Charging stations for electric vehicles are also planned as part of the sustainable concept of the project.

Austrotherm Bulgaria has announced the expansion of its production base in the Kazichene district of Sofia, following an investment of nearly €1.5 million. The new warehouse for raw materials and finished products aims to improve logistics and support the company's growing volumes in recent years. The company has been active on the Bulgarian market for 22 years and has developed production facilities in Sofia and Aytos. Its main focus is on products made of expanded (EPS) and extruded (XPS) polystyrene, widely used in construction for thermal and sound insulation. Austrotherm Group is part of Schmidt Industry Holding and has dozens of production bases in Europe and beyond. According to the company, the group reports a turnover of €520 million for 2025, while the holding company reaches €2.4 billion in revenue with around 6,800 employees.

"Holding BDZ" has a new executive director. This is Assoc. Prof. Borislav Arnaudov, who replaces Martin Angelov. The decision was made at a meeting of the holding's board of directors. Martin Angelov remained in the position of executive director of "Holding BDZ" for a little over a year. He took the position during the time of the Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov. The current acting Minister of Transport Korman Ismailov has issued an order for his dismissal as a member of the Board of Directors of "Holding BDZ" and has appointed Borislav Arnaudov in his place. The other two members of the board of directors - Kiril Kostadinov and Lyudmil Ivanov - retain their positions. Borislav Stefanov Arnaudov is an associate professor at the University of National and World Economy in Sofia. He teaches in the Department of "Economics of Transport and Energy" and is 55 years old. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the "Scientific and Technical Union for Transport", as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the public company "Bioiasis".

Four members of the board of directors of Bulgarian Sports Totalizator, headed by the executive director Lyubomir Petrov, have been dismissed by order of the acting Minister of Sports Dimitar Iliev. The Minister of Youth and Sports has sent an official letter to BST, expressing his opinion that no payments should be made until the newly elected members of the management bodies are entered in the public register. The letter sent aims to avoid potential legal risks. After the entry of the new members of the management bodies, all due payments should be made promptly and in full compliance with legal requirements. For this reason, they have stopped paying out winnings of over 5,000 euros, as well as money on installment payments of won jackpots. The management of the Ministry of Youth and Sports does not share or support policies aimed at transferring the "Bulgarian Sports Totalizator" SE into private hands, maintaining the position that the enterprise should continue to function as a state-owned company with a significant public function. In this sense, it is impossible to work with a management that participated in the preparation of such a process.

Employees of the global giant in outsourced technology services DXC Technology in Australia are starting strike action after negotiations for a new wage agreement with the company failed, The Register reports. A total of about 200 organized employees will join the protests. They are software and system engineers, developers, database administrators, technical consultants, cybersecurity experts and support specialists. The strike comes after 14 months of unsuccessful negotiations. The company has a global presence and over 120,000 employees. In Bulgaria, it employs 3,580 people as of January 2026. The trend in recent years has been towards shrinking teams in Sofia and Varna. The peak was in February 2024 - almost 4,200 people.

Eurohold Bulgaria AD will seek shareholder approval to issue bonds of up to EUR 300 million at an annual interest rate of 6.5%, with a deviation of plus/minus 3% - depending on interest and markets, and a term of up to 7 years. The company is calling an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on April 28, 2026, to discuss and vote on the bond loan. The funds will be used to refinance debts and provide the subsidiary Eastern European Electric Company II (EEEC II) - the owner of CEZ's assets in Bulgaria. In the reasoned report from the management board of Eurohold, they indicate that in 2016 a medium-term bond program was created, under which two issues are currently in circulation. One is in the amount of EUR 700 million, maturing in early June this year, and the interest rate is 6.5% per annum. The other is in the amount of EUR 10 million and matures at the end of 2026. The interest on it is 8% per annum. Both issues are guaranteed by Euroins Insurance Group AD and are admitted to trading on the stock exchange in Ireland. There are also two more bond issues, the maturity of which occurs, respectively, at the end of November 2027 and at the beginning of March 2029 – for EUR 30 million and EUR 40 million and an interest rate of 3.25% per annum. Both are traded on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE). Separately, EEEC II drew down a syndicated loan in 2021 to acquire the assets of CEZ. In 2025, the company placed bonds for EUR 500 million on international markets to refinance the syndicated loans. Depending on the funds raised from the new bond issue, full or partial repayment of the liabilities of Eurohold and EEEC II is planned.

Advance Terrafund REIT proposes the distribution of EUR 0.065 (BGN 0.127129) gross dividend per share from the profit for 2025. This is evident from the invitation to convene a regular annual general meeting of the company's shareholders, which is scheduled for May 14, 2026 in Sofia. The total amount to be paid to shareholders amounts to over EUR 6.14 million, representing 90% of the adjusted profit for distribution.

The amount of household waste generated per capita in the European Union amounted to 517 kg in 2024 – 6 kg more than in 2023 and 38 kg above the level of 2014. This was announced by the European statistical agency Eurostat. Significant differences are reported in the amount of household waste in EU countries. In 2024, the most household waste was produced by people in Austria (782 kg per capita), Denmark (755 kg) and Belgium (699 kg), and the least in Romania (305 kg, data from 2023), Estonia (375 kg) and Poland (387 kg). There are no Eurostat data available on the quantities of municipal waste in seven EU countries in 2024 – Austria, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Romania and Bulgaria, which is why the data for 2023 are presented for them. In Bulgaria, the generated municipal waste per capita amounted to 490 kilograms in 2023 – a level that is also recorded for 2024 due to the lack of more recent data. Thus, the municipal waste in Bulgaria produced per capita has increased for the third consecutive year, after having last decreased in 2020 – to 432 kilograms. Bulgaria was the fourteenth EU country with the highest amount of household waste per capita in 2024. In 2014, the average amount of household waste per capita in Bulgaria was 451 kg, or 39 kg less than in 2023, while for the same period in the EU the increase was 32 kg. For the period 2014-2024, the amount of household waste per capita increased in 20 EU countries, with Belgium (+274 kg), the Czech Republic (+228 kg) and Austria (+217 kg) leading the ranking, recording the most significant increases. At the same time, the most household waste per capita decreased in the Netherlands (-54 kg), Denmark (-53 kg) and Finland (-25 kg). In 2024, an average of 248 kg of household waste per capita was recycled in the EU, or 48.1 percent of the average amount generated by a person. This share is increasing compared to 2023, when it was 48 percent (246 kg per capita), and compared to 2014 - 43.0 percent (208 kg per capita).

Comparing economies and poverty is challenging because different measures can yield different results. Olivier Sterk, an associate professor of economics at the University of Oxford, has developed a new way of measuring poverty that he calls “median poverty.” He finds that “median poverty is significantly higher in the United States, even though average incomes are higher than in most Western European countries,” the world’s media reported. When gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is compared between the United States and Europe, the figures show a striking result: the poorest state in the United States rivals Germany. In the third quarter of 2024, Mississippi, the poorest state in the United States, had a GDP per capita of €49,780 ($53,872). In Germany, it was €51,304 in 2024—a difference of only about €1,500. In terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), the US is in a significantly stronger position than most EU countries, with the exception of Luxembourg and Ireland, Euronews Business reports. According to Stern’s research, published in SSRN, an online repository for academic papers, “average poverty” is defined as the average time it takes to earn $1. “The measure is inclusive, distributionally sensitive, decomposable and consistent with how both experts and the public conceptualize poverty,” he says. One US dollar is measured in international dollars. This means that it can buy the same amount of goods and services in any country as a US dollar in the United States. It is often used in conjunction with purchasing power parity (PPP) data. “Time” refers to a day in the life of anyone, of any age and in any circumstance – not just the hours worked by someone who has a job. As of 2025, the time it takes to earn $1 is 63 minutes in the US. That’s about twice the average for Germany, France and the UK. In Germany, Europe’s largest economy, it takes 26 minutes. In France, the figure is 31 minutes, while in the UK it rises slightly to 34 minutes. These figures show that average poverty in the US is about twice as high as in these three countries. Using this metric, Stern finds that global poverty has fallen by 55% since 1990. The time it takes to earn $1 has fallen from about half a day to five hours. The new measurement also shows that average poverty in the US has increased almost continuously since 1990, despite strong growth in average incomes. In contrast, in most other high-income countries, it has declined over time. For example, in 1990, it took 43 minutes to earn $1 in the US. This was about the same as in France (42 minutes) and shorter than in the UK (51 minutes). Germany had the lowest time, at 34 minutes. According to this measure, the time it takes to earn $1 has increased by 20 minutes, or 47%, in the US over the past 35 years. All three European economies have seen declines, with the UK seeing the biggest decline. In all four countries, average incomes have increased by just over 1% a year over the past decades, according to data from the World Bank’s Public Inspection Programme (PIP). In the US, however, average inequality has increased by about 2.2% a year, outpacing income growth. In contrast, in the UK, France and Germany, inequality has remained relatively stable, so income growth has led to a decline in average poverty. Poverty can change for two main reasons: incomes rise or fall, or the distribution of income becomes more or less unequal. In the case of the United States, average poverty is increasing even in a developing economy because inequality is growing faster than income growth. “The United States has one of the most unequal economies in the world and the most unequal among rich countries. Inequality has increased sharply in all 50 states since 1990, regardless of political orientation, demographic composition, or economic structure,” the expert writes. Income inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, is higher in the United States than in major European economies. Higher values ​​indicate greater inequality.

India has warned that its economic growth forecast of 7-7.4 percent for the fiscal year ending March 2027 could be revised down significantly due to rising energy prices and supply chain disruptions related to the Iran war, CNBC reported. The conflict, which began on February 28 after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has disrupted the movement of goods through the Strait of Hormuz - a critical waterway through which 20 percent of the world's oil is transported - leading to higher energy and freight costs and straining supply chains. So far, the Indian government has shown little inclination to pass on rising energy costs to consumers, last week cutting excise duties on domestic gasoline and diesel by 10 rupees ($0.11) per liter to prevent prices from rising at gas stations as the war with Iran disrupts global energy supplies. India relies on the Strait of Hormuz for about 50 percent of its crude oil needs and imports most of its liquefied natural gas through the route, according to Citi. Alternative crude oil and LNG supplies are available but are subject to delays and higher costs, the finance ministry said in its monthly report. It added that LNG imports are difficult to replace because almost all of them come from conflict-affected regions and domestic refinery yields are very low. Crude oil prices in India have risen from below $80 to around $140, and that will “definitely” impact the current account deficit, Naveen Mathur, head of commodities and foreign exchange at Indian brokerage Anand Rathi International Ventures, told CNBC. He added that the government's warning that the Middle East crisis would affect growth was "damaging to the economic prospects of the country," which is already facing an outflow of foreign investors.