Kaufland probe, orphan power line and bird droppings in Shumen

The Commission for Protection of Competition has opened formal proceedings against Kaufland Bulgaria and Maxima Bulgaria (trading as T-Market) over suspected unfair trading practices towards suppliers and producers.

The cases stem from a December 2025 sectoral analysis of the food market which found structural distortions and evidence that large retailers were extracting discounts from suppliers that could force Bulgarian producers to sell at cost or below cost. Both chains now face investigations into their pricing policies and contract terms with suppliers of staple foods, including milk, meat, eggs and cooking oil.

Following amendments to the Competition Protection Act in November 2025, the maximum fine for breaches rose to 10% of annual turnover. Retailers were given until 9 February 2026 to bring their supplier contracts into line with the new rules.

A 13.2 km overhead power line feeding Shumen's main pumping station has no documented owner, leaving the structure in limbo despite repeated breakdowns.

The aerial line, built decades ago, runs from Veliki Preslav substation to Pumping Station 1300 and supplies water infrastructure serving both Shumen and Veliki Preslav municipalities. Checks with ViK Shumen, Energo-Pro North, the Energy Regulator and the Ministry of Energy turned up no registered ownership. The line is not listed as an asset on the books of any of them.

The Commission for Energy and Water Regulation told regional authorities that establishing ownership is not in its remit and that only a Bulgarian court can resolve the dispute. The Association for Water and Sewerage in Shumen is now searching State Archives for documents that might link the line to a 1973–82 industrial water supply project.

Renovation work on Simeon Veliki Boulevard has drawn criticism after road lanes were narrowed from 3.5 metres to 3 metres to accommodate new two-way cycle lanes.

Under the approved design, three lanes in each direction remain, but drivers complain the reduced width will worsen congestion on one of Shumen's busiest roads. The project also includes replacement of the ViK water network. Traffic police raised no objections to the lane-width reduction.

The renovation, costing over €11.2 million (22 million leva equivalent at the old rate), is funded by the state. Completion is expected by September if the parallel water-main replacement stays on schedule.

A Shumen vet has raised the alarm over bird droppings falling onto food stalls at the cooperative market, warning of diseases including salmonella, avian flu and hantavirus.

Dr Valentin Atanasov filed a formal complaint with the mayor and city council chair after observing large numbers of birds roosting on the market roof and their droppings landing on produce and shoppers below. 'We don't know what could come from Africa, including parasites unknown to our medicine,' he warned.

Stallholders have been improvising defences with netting and balloons but say the problem is overwhelming. The council has added the matter as an emergency agenda item for the 28 May session.