Builders’ wares of plastics market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years from 2018 to 2020, the production of plastic builders' wares in Bulgaria showed mixed dynamics. Output increased from 213.6 million USD in 2018 to 216.8 million USD in 2019, supported by a broader transformation of the manufacturing sector where plastics production gained ground. The adoption of IoT and Industry 4.0 technologies enhanced productivity and machine intelligence in plastics manufacturing. Concurrently, the market for polymer compounds in construction expanded as advanced engineering plastics began replacing traditional materials. However, in 2020, production declined to 198.0 million USD and the overall market size contracted to 178.9 million USD, primarily due to pandemic-related global and regional disruptions to supply chains and industrial activity.

The period from 2021 onward was marked by a strong construction boom in Bulgaria, driven by real estate investments, which created material shortages and delivery delays. This heightened demand for construction materials, including plastic builders' wares, was reflected in import values rising to 45.6 million USD in 2021 and further to 53.5 million USD in 2022. Exports also grew robustly, reaching 65.9 million USD in 2022, indicating competitive production. During this phase, manufacturers faced significant pressure from soaring energy costs, prompting searches for alternative materials and processes. Regulatory changes, notably the enactment of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, compelled industry adaptation, while interest in incorporating recycled plastics into construction products like pipes and UPVC windows increased. The sector also saw a pronounced shift toward sustainability, with events focusing on the circular economy and a growing, though cost-sensitive, interest in bioplastics and sustainable polymers.

In the later years of 2023 and 2024, import values moderated to 50.7 million USD and 49.9 million USD respectively, while exports reached a high of 72.6 million USD in 2023 before settling at 61.7 million USD in 2024. This export performance underscores the sector's sustained international presence, even as domestic market conditions stabilized.

Production plastic builders’ wares in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's production of plastic building materials declined. In 2020, output was valued at 198.0 million US dollars, marking an 8.6% decrease from the previous year. Production increased by 6.5% overall between 2017 and 2020, averaging 2.1% annually. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 216.8 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 14.9%.

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

Exports plastic builders’ wares from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of plastic building materials have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 15 835 tonnes, up 7.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Serbia, and Romania were the main buyers of Bulgaria's plastic building materials by volume. Greece accounted for 31.6% of exports, Serbia for 18.5%, and Romania for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 63.2% of total export volume.

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 plastic building materials have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 49 761 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 10.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Italy, and Serbia were the primary destinations for Bulgaria's plastic building materials by value. Greece accounted for 30.6% of export value, Italy for 20.1%, and Serbia for 11.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 61.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports plastic builders’ wares to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of plastic building materials amounted to 9 635 tonnes, remaining largely unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 713 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 9 684 tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria's imports of plastic building materials by volume were quite dispersed. Turkey accounted for 18.9% of imports, Poland for 18.1%, and Germany for 11.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 48.9% of total import volume, with the remaining 51.1% spread across a wide range of other sources.

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

In 2020, Bulgaria imported 30 598 thousand US dollars worth of plastic building materials, showing a slight decrease of 1.0% from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 30 063 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 30 907 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria's imports of plastic building materials by value came from a broad range of partners. Poland accounted for 15.0% of import value, Germany for 14.6%, and Turkey for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.4% of total import value, indicating a diverse sourcing portfolio.

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

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