Consumer protection, food safety and tax authorities launch joint checks on food markups
Three Bulgarian authorities are launching joint inspections at warehouses of major retail chains following reports of high markups on dairy products.
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Bulgaria's Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP), Food Safety Agency (BFSA) and National Revenue Agency (NRA) are launching joint inspections of warehouses operated by major retail chains on 21 October, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) reports.
The checks follow reports of substantial markups on certain dairy products. According to the reported figures, the highest recorded markup was 135% for butter, 99% for fresh milk and 95% for cheese. These percentages concern individual products examined and do not mean that every retailer applies such markups.
The consumer protection authority has opened 11 proceedings concerning potentially unjustified price increases for essential food products. According to BNT, penalties of €10,000 to €100,000 per product may apply where retailers cannot provide objective reasons for price rises.
The Modern Trade Association notes that a markup or gross margin is not the same as a retailer's net profit. The findings of the new joint inspections have yet to be announced.
Source: BNT, 21 October 2026
Photo: CHUTTERSNAP / Unsplash (illustrative image), used under the Unsplash License.
