Apple juice market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The apple juice market in Bulgaria experienced notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 8.0 million liters in 2018, the market contracted over the next two years, falling to 6.4 million liters in 2020 before entering a recovery phase. The initial market volume was supported by the entry of a new small-scale processing plant near Mikhalti in 2018, which added localized production from a dedicated apple orchard.

Market recovery accelerated from 2021 onward, bolstered by regulatory updates and significant capacity investments. In 2022, the adoption of a national ordinance harmonizing juice definitions, composition, and labeling with EU standards provided clearer market rules. That same year, apple juice production resumed in Pernik with a new cold-press facility processing 700 kg of apples per hour, backed by local growers. Packaging innovations, such as the Bag-in-box system used by the award-winning 'BAGRA' brand, helped preserve quality and appeal to consumers. These developments coincided with broad sector growth, as the total soft drink and juice market in Bulgaria attracted investments of 90 million euros in 2022. Continued investment in Pernik's production capacity in 2023 supported a further market expansion to 8.3 million liters, aligning with a 6.5% growth reported for the overall juice sector that year.

Production apple juice in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's apple juice production value declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 9 916 thousand US dollars, but then dropped sharply in 2020 to 5 578 thousand US dollars. This represents a significant year-over-year decrease of 43.7%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.0%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 42.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Top producers of apple juice, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple juice, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's apple juice production volume declined following two years of increases. In 2019, production peaked at 10 090 thousand liters, but then plummeted in 2020 to 5 295 thousand liters. This marked a dramatic year-over-year drop of 47.5%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 24.8%, averaging an annual decline of 9.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, when production rose by 30.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Exports apple juice from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K l

The market demonstrated considerable volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, showing a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's apple juice exports stood at 2 675 thousand liters, representing a sharp reduction of 58.6% compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 6 455 thousand liters, with the largest increase that year reaching 78.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Austria was the primary market for Bulgarian apple juice exports in volume terms, accounting for 71.8% of total exports. Other destinations collectively formed a smaller portion of the export structure.

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

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 2.4-fold difference between the low of 2 363 thousand US dollars in 2018 and the high of 5 675 thousand US dollars in 2019. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 2 379 thousand US dollars worth of apple juice, reflecting an abrupt drop of 58.1% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when export value surged by 140.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, two leading markets—Austria and Hungary—together accounted for 85.3% of Bulgaria's total apple juice export value. The remaining exports were distributed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports apple juice to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K l

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's apple juice import volume declined. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 4 132 thousand liters, then decreased to 3 735 thousand liters in 2020. This represents a limited year-over-year decline of 9.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, when imports rose by 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Austria were the main suppliers of apple juice to Bulgaria in volume terms. Hungary accounted for 21.6% of imports, Poland for 20.9%, and Austria for 15.2%. Together, these three countries formed 57.7% of Bulgaria's total apple juice imports.

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

Bulgaria's apple juice import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 3 558 thousand US dollars, then dropped to 2 716 thousand US dollars in 2020. This represents a slight decline of 0.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when import value rose by 44.5%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 23.0%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Hungary, Poland, and Austria made the biggest contributions to Bulgaria's apple juice import value. Hungary accounted for 30.3% of imports, Poland for 14.2%, and Austria for 13.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 57.6% 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