Alliaceous vegetables market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Bulgarian alliaceous vegetable production reached 45 850 t, with a market volume of 77 799 t. During this period, the largest companies in the fruit and vegetable sector reported growing turnovers, increasing market concentration. A market control model similar to one in Greece was also discussed, which could have influenced trade conditions. However, production fell to 34 480 t in 2019 and dropped further to 31 430 t in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused serious difficulties in production and distribution, reducing the market volume to 58 051 t.

A slight recovery occurred in 2021, as increased exports of fresh vegetables stimulated growers, lifting production to 32 220 t and the market volume to 58 410 t. Yet in 2022, rising imports of vegetables, particularly from Turkey and Greece, intensified competition for local producers. This contributed to a decline in domestic output to 29 750 t and a contraction of the market to 55 082 t.

The trend reversed sharply in 2023: production jumped to 41 060 t and the market volume grew to 65 474 t, nearing the levels seen in 2018.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's production of alliaceous vegetables has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 31 430 tonnes, marking an 8.8% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 45 850 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 24.8% decline, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 58.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 878 tonnes of alliaceous vegetables, which is 44.6% lower than the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 586 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 74.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Greece, and Hungary were the main buyers of Bulgarian alliaceous vegetables, accounting for 27.4%, 19.1%, and 18.1% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 64.7% of total exports in kind during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Bulgaria's exports of alliaceous vegetables in value terms have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 790 thousand US dollars' worth, showing a 22.6% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 6.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 050 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 24.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Germany, and Greece were the core markets for Bulgarian alliaceous vegetables in value terms, accounting for 35.1%, 20.7%, and 11.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 67.0% of total export flows during this time.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, Bulgaria's imports of alliaceous vegetables in kind declined. In 2020, the country imported approximately 27 500 tonnes, representing a sharp 24.0% contraction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 36 169 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 15.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Poland, and Germany were the key partners for Bulgaria's imports of alliaceous vegetables in kind, accounting for 26.8%, 15.8%, and 15.5% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 58.1% of total import flows during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, Bulgaria's imports of alliaceous vegetables in value terms declined. In 2020, the country imported 6 262 thousand US dollars' worth, reflecting a substantial 24.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 31.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 8 260 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 45.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Poland were the three largest markets for Bulgaria's imports of alliaceous vegetables in value terms, together accounting for 52.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020