Bituminous mixtures market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian bituminous mixtures market grew from 1 235 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 692 thousand tons in 2020, with production rising to 1 687 thousand tons. This expansion coincided with the 2018 update of national testing standards for bituminous mixtures, aligning them with European norms, which supported product quality and likely facilitated market growth.

After 2020, the market volume declined, reaching 1 560 thousand tons in 2022 and 1 517 thousand tons in 2023. This period saw several regulatory changes that increased operational demands, including amendments to the Clean Air Act in 2020 that introduced new labeling rules for chemical mixers and a series of stricter waste classification requirements in 2021 and 2022 for bituminous mixtures.

Further regulatory developments in 2023 mandated enhanced control procedures for bituminous constructions, requiring oversight during mixture modifications. These cumulative measures added to the administrative and compliance burden for producers, coinciding with the market's contraction in the latter part of the period.

Production bituminous mixtures in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bituminous mixtures production in Bulgaria has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 89 710 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 8.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production surged by 121.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 30.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Bituminous mixtures production in Bulgaria has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 1 687 thousand tonnes of bituminous mixtures, up 8.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 115.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.2%.

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

Exports bituminous mixtures from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, with a 25-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 14 767 tonnes of bituminous mixtures, a 163.8% increase from the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 582 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 48.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 861.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in kind was dominated by a single market: Romania, which accounted for 97.0% 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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export volumes peaked in 2020 and fell to a trough in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 14.5 times. In 2020, Bulgaria's export volume of bituminous mixtures amounted to 5 179 thousand US dollars, up 117.5% from a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 356 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 72.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 568.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania was by far the main destination for exports in value terms of bituminous mixtures from Bulgaria, accounting for 92.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports bituminous mixtures to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, reflecting a 10.4-fold gap. In 2020, Bulgaria imported 19 664 tonnes of bituminous mixtures, a 19.2% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 891 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 57.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 772.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Romania were the dominant destinations for imports in kind, jointly taking 84.7% of total flows, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to a trough in 2018, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 4.6 times. In 2020, Bulgaria's import volume of bituminous mixtures amounted to 6 133 thousand US dollars, down 9.6% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 484 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 6 788 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 40.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 357.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (51.4% of imports in value terms), Romania (18.5% of imports in value terms), and the United States (6.0% of imports in value terms) consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 76.0% of total flows.

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

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