Dominance of Cereal Crops
The figures clearly show that nearly three-quarters of Bulgaria’s productive land is used for growing cereals, while the remaining one-quarter is devoted to seven other types of crops. Among these, the most significant category is forage, which is used to feed livestock.
This heavy emphasis on cereal production reflects the agricultural character of the country, where wheat, maize, and barley form the backbone of rural life and the national economy. The focus on these staple crops also shows the importance of food security and export trade during the late 19th century.
Growth in Cultivation Between 1892 and 1899
The following table shows the progress of Bulgarian agriculture between 1892 and 1899. Almost every type of crop increased in the area cultivated, which demonstrates steady improvement in agricultural productivity Customized Private Turkey Tours.
Product Area Cultivated in 1892 (hectares) Area Cultivated in 1899 (hectares)
Percentage Increase
Cereals 1,194,847 1,877,616 57.14%
Oil-producing (oleaginous) plants 9,883 15,891 60.79%
Vegetables 10,333 32,942 218.79%
Other culinary plants 20,012 31,892 59.36%
Forage 343,342 440,859 28.40%
Vines 96,000 110,943 15.56%
Roses 4,352 5,094 17.04%
Orchards 2,158 5,163 139.24%
Total 1,680,927 2,520,400 49.94% increase overall
This table confirms that Bulgaria experienced nearly a 50% total growth in cultivated land in just seven years. Vegetables and orchards saw the largest relative increase, showing that farmers were gradually diversifying production beyond cereals.
Annual Yield of Cereal Crops
The annual cereal yield of Bulgaria during this period was estimated at about 30,000,000 hectolitres. The distribution among different grains was as follows:
Type of Cereal Annual Production (hectolitres)
Wheat 12,000,000
Maize 7,000,000
Barley 5,000,000
Oats 2,500,000
Rye 3,000,000
Millet 300,000
Spelt 200,000
Total 30,000,000 hectolitres
These figures highlight the strength of Bulgaria’s grain sector. In terms of total cereal production, the country ranked tenth in Europe, just after Sweden. Specifically, Bulgaria held the eighth place in wheat and maize production and the tenth place in oats and rye.
Regional Productivity
The fertility of the land and agricultural output per person varied across the provinces of the Principality. Based on the number of hectolitres of cereals produced per head of population, the provinces were divided into three main groups:
14 hectolitres per person – Roustchouk, Varna, Bourgas, and Pleven
11 hectolitres per person – Stara Zagora, Tărnovo, Shoumen, and Vratza
8 hectolitres per person – Kyustendil, Philippopolis (Plovdiv), and Sofia
This regional classification shows that the eastern and northern provinces were generally more fertile and productive, benefiting from better soil and climate conditions, while the western and southern regions had lower yields due to mountainous terrain and less developed farming techniques.
Between 1892 and 1899, Bulgaria made remarkable progress in agriculture. The steady increase in cultivated land, the rise in cereal yields, and the expansion of vineyards and orchards all point to a nation moving toward greater agricultural efficiency.
Cereal production continued to dominate, but the growing importance of forage, vegetables, and fruit cultivation showed a healthy trend toward diversified farming. These developments laid a solid foundation for Bulgaria’s future as a productive and self-sufficient agricultural country.