A three-day forum called "Farmers and markets – competitive through sustainability" will take place in Sofia from September 28 to 30, organized by the Bulgarian Farmers' Union, the group has said. Topics include online sales, local brands and short supply chains.

Georgi Stoyanov, who heads the Bulgarian Farmers' Union, will lead the talks. The agriculture ministry, parliament's agriculture, food and forestry committee, the National Association of Municipalities, agricultural universities and research bodies, trade groups, producers and processors are all expected to take part.

Organizers say the forum should spark dialogue, share know-how and come up with practical fixes for Bulgarian farming, helping producers get closer to shoppers through direct sales, strong local brands and modern ways to showcase and sell their goods.

It starts on September 28 at 9:30 am in the hall of the Central Cooperative Union at 99 Georgi S. Rakovski Street. The first session looks at digital marketing and farmers' presence online. Speakers will discuss how to turn a quality product into a brand people recognize, how to reach more customers, which social networks to use, and whether farmers need their own website or online shop.

The second session opens on September 29 at 10:00 am at the InterContinental Sofia hotel. Its main point: staying competitive isn't just about growing more, it's about adding more value. Talks will cover local and regional markets, short supply chains, direct sales and giving Bulgarian farm products a bigger presence.

The last day, September 30, 2026, runs again in the Central Cooperative Union hall, this time on the 14th floor, starting at 9:30 am. The third session looks at how to bring the New European Bauhaus into farming and rural areas, built on three ideas: sustainability, good design and inclusion. Organizers want practical answers that bring all three together, and hope the Bauhaus will be seen as real, hands-on work on farms and in rural communities, not just a European idea on paper.