Wine and the Politics of Survival

Abstract

Bulgaria’s wine industry has been squeezed by a concurrent loss of markets and a massive organizational restructuring. It entered 1994 with an urgent need for investment to allow it to compete successfully in the future. The industry has some definite advantages: it is well suited for wine production and costs are low relative to many competitors. The disadvantages are that grape varieties are out of balance for Western markets, there is inadequate enforcement of wine regulations, and there is not a prevalent marketing orientation. Growers should focus on rebalancing grape varieties, introducing a virus-free planting system, and more fully implementing an IPM program. Wineries should concentrate on improving product quality through better sanitation, improved quality control, and the use of inert storage containers. The newly established Association of Wine Producers (AWP) can be particularly helpful in assuring beneficial government actions. The immediate need for government is to improve the control system and the enforcement of regulations that support wine quality.