EU inspections of the Bulgarian dairy production sector showed that the majority of companies fail meeting European requirements.

More than 300 Bulgarian companies produce dairy products, Capital newspaper reported. Out of them only 30 will have access to the common European market.

These companies are going to face some problems as well, the report said. On February 2 a European veterinary inspection came to an end. The results will show if these companies will keep their licenses.

On February 9 the European Veterinary Committee will name the companies that will be allowed access to the European market.

A number of major producers may lose their licenses if they fail meeting technological requirements and milk quality criteria. In case the licenses are taken away, producers will receive a list of recommendations, which need to be met before access to the European market is granted.

Capital reported that Bulgaria’s dairy export has been increasing over the past years. Bulgaria mostly exports cheese and yellow cheese.

The major foreign markets for Bulgaria’s dairy production include Greece, the US, Lebanon, Australia and Germany.

According to Bulgarian dairy producers nearly 40 per cent of the exports targeted countries outside the EU.