In the heart of the town of Popovo, surrounded by fragrant fields and modern greenhouses, the family of Dimitrinka Stoyanova is setting a new standard for quality and sustainability in Bulgarian agriculture.
The story of Di Berry Group is the fulfilled dream of Dimitrinka and her six-member family.
Back in 2003, they began cultivating 30 decares of land, transforming it into fragrant berry fields.
Today, the farm spans nearly 1,000 decares of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries - grown both outdoors and in greenhouses - a true paradise for berry lovers.
From a small garden to an innovation leader
The family farm has expanded year after year, with its success driven by the dedication of the family and dozens of employees who work with care and love for the land.
In 2019, they took a bold step forward by registering Di Berry Group as a company, launching high-tech greenhouse production. Today, it stands out as the largest greenhouse producer of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries in Bulgaria, managing 60 decares of steel-and-glass and 10 decares of polyethylene greenhouses.
The technologies are impressive: automated drip irrigation, climate control, hydroponic cultivation, and the use of bioagents for plant protection - beneficial insects that destroy harmful pests. This ensures ecologically clean fruits, hand-picked and reaching the market fully ripe. Average yields are about 2 tons per decare for raspberries and 4 tons per decare for strawberries.
“The advantages of hydroponic cultivation are that we get pesticide-free fruit in a controlled environment. We manage the greenhouse climate ourselves - heat, light, and humidity. We deliver nutrients to the plants through water enriched with all the elements the fruits need,” explains Denitsa Ivanova from Di Berry Group.
The company supplies almost all its production to major retail chains, with 50% sold through Kaufland Bulgaria. Thanks to this partnership, it has expanded its greenhouse area more than fourfold since 2020. With a short supply chain,
fruits reach store shelves just one day after harvest.
“Partnership with hypermarkets guarantees us a secure market. In the greenhouse we grow two harvests a year, and based on our production schedule agreed with the retail chains, we aim to supply fruit for as long a period of the year as possible,” adds Ivanova.
Di Berry Group is certified under international standards Global G.A.P. and GRASP, which guarantee product quality and safety, environmental protection, and social responsibility toward employees. Laboratory tests and strict partner controls are part of daily operations. Fruits are tested for over 7,000 types of pesticides, while pollination is ensured by the company’s own bee colonies.
A mission and a future
Berry cultivation requires year-round care. More than 80 employees from the Popovo region work full-time at the farm, and during peak season the company provides jobs for about 200 people. Beyond supporting the local economy, the company proves that innovation and tradition can coexist in harmony.
Di Berry Group has set a clear goal - expanding greenhouse production, entering new markets, and strengthening Bulgaria’s reputation for quality.
This success would not have been possible without access to long-term financial resources and specialized programs for agricultural producers - support provided by the Bulgarian Development Bank. Such financial backing enables entrepreneurs in Bulgaria to invest in innovation and expand their businesses, creating jobs that help revive disadvantaged regions.
