Broken rice market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian broken rice market volume demonstrated strong growth from 1 101 t in 2018 to a peak of 2 710 t in 2022, despite a slight dip to 2 197 t in 2021. This expansion established a significantly larger domestic market over the first half of the period.

Growth in 2022 was supported by the introduction of two new Bulgarian rice varieties, brown and red, which were added to the official variety register, stimulating local production. The following year, global supply chain disruptions, notably India's export bans on basmati rice, restricted imports and contributed to a market contraction to 2 132 t, even as domestic output rose sharply.

In 2024, the market volume further decreased to 1 594 t. This contraction coincided with inflationary pressures affecting consumer spending on staple foods and the continuation of mandatory EU licensing for rice exports, which regulated foreign market access.

Production broken rice in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Bulgaria's broken rice production value increased in 2020. Output reached 768 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 20.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 49.6%, with an annualized decline rate of 20.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 638 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 45.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of broken rice, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, Bulgaria's broken rice production volume increased in 2020. The country produced 2,193 tons, reflecting a modest 6.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production volume decreased by 54.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 23.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,064 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 41.5%.

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

Exports broken rice from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's broken rice exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 1,230 tons, representing a 7.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 72.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 35.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Czechia, and Poland were the primary destinations for Bulgaria's broken rice exports by volume. Romania accounted for 35.4% of exports, Czechia for 33.2%, and Poland for 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented 76.7% of total export 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

After two years of decline, Bulgaria's broken rice export value increased in 2020. Exports amounted to 535 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 6.1% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 65.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 30.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 505 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 53.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Czechia, and Poland were the main destinations for Bulgaria's broken rice exports by value. Romania accounted for 39.3% of export value, Czechia for 29.0%, and Poland for 8.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 77.2% of total export 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 broken rice to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's broken rice import volumes showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 485 tons and peaked in 2020, representing a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria imported 1,230 tons of broken rice, which was 30.9% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 20.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 107.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Myanmar, and North Macedonia were the primary sources of broken rice imports to Bulgaria by volume. Greece accounted for 51.6% of imports, Myanmar for 24.8%, and North Macedonia for 22.8%. Together, these three countries supplied 99.3% of Bulgaria's total broken rice 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 broken rice import value exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 187 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020, representing a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import value amounted to 499 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp 40.9% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 89.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Myanmar, and North Macedonia consistently led as the main sources of broken rice imports to Bulgaria by value. Greece accounted for 52.6% of import value, Myanmar for 23.4%, and North Macedonia for 23.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 99.1% 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