Bulgaria's Agriculture Ministry has announced its expectations for at least 10% increase of the wine export in 2010, in comparison to last year.

At a press conference on Tuesday, officials from the ministry stated that they expect a growth in the export despite the forecasts for 30% decrease of grapes harvest.

They also announced that Bulgaria has entered the Brazilian red wine market for the first time. Meanwhile, Chile and Argentina, who are Bulgaria's major competitors at the Russian wine market, registered a 70% decrease of the harvest.

The ministry stated that Bulgaria has maintained its good positions at the Polish, German and Nordic markets as well.

However, according to earlier statements by the Association of Bulgarian Wine Producers, the export of wine has dropped by 60-70% as a result of the economic crisis.

The head of the Association, Dimitrin Vichev, said in September that more than 90% of the Bulgarian wine, which is being exported, is sold for EUR 0,65 and EUR 0,75 per bottle, while the real price would be not less than EUR 1 or EUR 1,2.