industry structure and producers

Bulgaria’s foie gras supply chain is vertically integrated. Most producers own or contract hatcheries, finishing farms, gavage facilities, slaughterhouses and processing plants. According to the 2011 surveillance study, about 800 farms raised hybrid mule ducks for foie gras[8]. Farms are clustered in southern and central regions such as Haskovo, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik and Yambol, where maize and barley are plentiful and there is access to slaughterhouses. Production occurs in three phases: “démarrage” (indoor brooding to 21–25 days), “pré‑gavage” (pasture rearing for eight weeks) and “gavage” (force‑feeding indoors for ~14 days)[15].