Evaluation of the Correlation Between the Organic Food Sector and Rural Development in Bulgaria: Case Study

The statistics indicate a significant growth in the global organic food industry. This growth impacts rural economies, employment, and the rural landscape, affecting the structure, services, and amenities available to the rural population. Most of the Bulgarian municipalities have rural characteristics. The primary objective of this study is to analyze and assess the impact of organic farming on rural development and to formulate recommendations for fostering a stronger relationship between organic agriculture and rural regions in Bulgaria. Due to the complexity and comprehensiveness of this study’s primary objective, the authors employ a combination of three methods: statistical analysis (correlation, regression, and chi-squared), a survey focused on consumer attitudes towards organic products, and a SWOT analysis. There is a strong correlation between the expansion of organic production, the demand for such products, and the rural regions’ development. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.678044) has been demonstrated between the number of enterprises and the number of people employed in rural regions. The frequency of purchasing organic products is increasing, with 28% of consumers using these products in 2014 and over 45% expected to do so in 2024. Based on the SWOT analysis, the authors outline key recommendations in four areas in the context of strategic rural policy: stimulating demand, stimulating supply, stimulating and expanding production, and improving the legislative framework.