Bulgaria's Rose Harvesting Season Welcomes Visitors With Traditional Rituals

Bulgaria's rose harvesting season has commenced in the rose plantations near Kazanlak, attracting numerous visitors over the weekend, as reported by the Bulgarian News Agency BTA. Kazanlak is renowned for its rose cultivation and is a significant contributor to Bulgaria's position as one of the top three rose oil producers globally.

The 121st edition of the Rose Festival included a harvesting ritual near Cherganovo last Sunday, despite rainy weather. Visitors witnessed a demonstration of rose distilling and sampled rose jam and beverages. These rituals will continue every weekend until 2nd June, with roses being harvested early in the morning before sunrise.

Harvesting begins at 04.00 am and concludes by 09.00 am, as the essential oil concentration in the petals is highest between 04.00 am and 08.00 am. Traditionally, women sing while picking the petals and compete to harvest the most. The top harvester earns the honour of leading a dance in the village square.

After harvesting, rose distillation starts immediately. Boilers are loaded with rose petals and water. Roses must be in full bloom for maximum oil content. The first distillate, known as rose water, undergoes a second distillation to produce rose oil.

Export and Economic Impact

In 2023, Bulgaria exported 1,370 kg of rose oil at an average price of €9,168 per kg. The primary export markets include the US, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and France. This highlights Bulgaria's significant role in the global rose oil market.

Industry Statistics

According to the Bulgarian Agriculture Ministry, there are 2,943 registered rose growers in Bulgaria. Additionally, there are 67 registered processors operating 53 facilities for processing roses. These figures underscore the extensive infrastructure supporting Bulgaria's rose oil industry.

With inputs from WAM