Sofia, September 15 (BTA) - Bulgaria's 2021 grape harvest is expected to be 20 per cent bigger than last year's, caretaker Agriculture, Food and Forestry Minister Hristo Bozukov told journalists on Wednesday, quoted by his Ministry.

Bozukov, along with Vice President Iliana Yotova, attended the start of harvesting in a vineyard near the southwestern village of Harsovo.

Overall, 145,000 tonnes of wine grape and 100 million litres of wine are expected to be produced this year, according to the Agriculture Minister.

The grapes are expected to have high sugar content and good quality indicators.

Bulgaria's wine is highly competitive and ways should be found to broaden its market abroad, Bozukov also said.

State Fund Agriculture have paid vine-growers nearly 12.5 million leva for June, July and August under various measures of the National Support Programme in the Wine Sector 2019 - 2023, the Minister noted.

Bulgaria's wine sector will receive support through the anti-COVID measures as well after the state budget was updated. KK/LN/