Barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian market for barbed wire and fencing wire began the 2018-2024 period with a volume of 2 467 metric tons in 2018. This was supported by regulatory updates to construction standards, particularly new anti-corrosion requirements for steel structures enforced from June 2018, which likely increased demand for compliant wire products. Simultaneously, domestic manufacturers expanded their portfolios with new specialized items such as galvanized wires and steel ropes for forestry, attracting additional demand segments.

After a decline, the market's physical volume recovered to 1 898 metric tons in 2022. This increase coincided with further amendments to technical regulations for steel construction drawings at the end of 2022 and the continued development of product offerings, including more durable coated wires. In value terms, the market peaked at USD 2.86 million in 2023, reflecting a shift toward higher-value specialized wire types.

In 2024, the market contracted sharply to 1 096 metric tons, with its value falling to USD 2.19 million. This downturn followed the repeal of several territorial planning provisions that had governed construction product regulations, potentially altering market access conditions for steel wire producers and distributors.

Production barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's output of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel was valued at 2 058 K $ US, marking a significant decrease of 16.5% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 612 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 16.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 70.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Production volume was lowest in 2017 and highest in 2018, showing a 1.8-fold gap. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 2 167 t of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel, up by 77.9% from the previous year.

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

Exports barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 531.3 t, indicating a rise of 141.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 25 518.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 535.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania dominated the geographical structure of Bulgaria's exports in kind of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel, accounting for 91.7% of total flows.

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 barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 571.7 K $ US, showing an increase of 55.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 12 990.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 407.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania accounted for 73.9% of Bulgaria's total exports in value terms of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria imported 161.7 t of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel, constituting an 85.7% rise from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 87.1 t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 63.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (61.0% of imports in kind), Greece (10.7% of imports in kind), and China (7.3% of imports in kind) remained the main suppliers of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel to Bulgaria, jointly forming 79.0% of total imports in kind.

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 imports of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 271.9 K $ US, marking a drop of 7.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 55.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (46.7% of imports in value terms), Poland (24.2% of imports in value terms), and Hungary (11.6% of imports in value terms) continued to lead as suppliers of barbed wire and fencing wire of iron or steel to Bulgaria, jointly accounting for 82.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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