Black printing ink market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Bulgaria's printing ink sector showed early signs of development in 2018 through its participation in Central European printing market studies and workshops demonstrating innovative inks like EPIC PRIME WHITE. By 2020, the physical market volume stood at 363.9 t, beginning a period of regulatory and technological change.

In 2021, the transposition of EU directives on modernized consumer protection introduced stricter sanction regimes, which affected printed products and supported market growth to 390.1 t. National legislative amendments in 2022 continued to adjust the framework for ink production and use.

A sharp regulatory push in 2023, with new labeling rules for tobacco and vaping products and stricter EU compliance requirements for food-contact printing inks, spurred demand for specialized inks. This led production to jump to 55.5 t, imports to 592 t, and market volume to peak at 517.2 t. In 2024, ongoing ink‑saving techniques and strengthened labeling requirements including QR codes supported production at 63 t, while more efficient ink usage contributed to a market volume decrease to 412.8 t.

Production black printing ink in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

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

Exports black printing ink from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's exports of black printing ink declined in 2020. The country exported 46.9 tonnes of black printing ink that year, down 1.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 91.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 24.2%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 47.7 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 39.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia were the top buyers of black printing ink from Bulgaria, accounting for 30.5%, 15.1%, and 14.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 59.6% of Bulgaria's 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 black printing ink in value terms grew for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 377 thousand US dollars worth of black printing ink, marking a solid increase of 20.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 52.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 219 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 42.7%.

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

The market base for Bulgaria's exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Romania, North Macedonia, and Iran were the leading destinations, accounting for 21.1%, 14.5%, and 13.3% of exports in value terms, respectively. However, their combined share was just 48.9% of total flows, with the remaining 51.1% distributed among numerous 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 black printing ink to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of black printing ink in kind totaled 389.2 tonnes, representing a decline of 10.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 8.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 387.4 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 24.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Turkey, and Greece were the primary sources for Bulgaria's imports of black printing ink in kind. Germany accounted for 52.0% of imports, followed by Turkey at 15.5% and Greece at 8.3%. Together, these three countries made up 75.7% of total import flows 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 imported 2 166 thousand US dollars worth of black printing ink in 2020, reflecting a decrease of 10.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 15.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 10.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Italy, and Turkey formed the core group of markets for Bulgaria's imports in value terms. Germany led with 30.2% of imports, followed by Italy at 10.4% and Turkey at 10.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 51.0% of total import flows 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