Cabbages market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian cabbage market experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a sharp contraction in 2020, when the market volume fell to 38 230 t, a recovery phase began. The market grew to 48 016 t in 2022 and further to 51 398 t in 2023, approaching the levels seen before the downturn.

The market growth in 2023 was supported by rising export demand from Romania, which provided a direct incentive for Bulgarian producers to increase output. At the same time, wholesale cabbage prices rose by approximately 12% due to seasonal factors and constrained local production, making cultivation more profitable and contributing to the expansion of supply.

In 2024, the export flow to Romania remained a positive factor, though increased vegetable imports from neighboring countries began to exert downward pressure on domestic prices. Broader influences such as the war in Ukraine and EU Green Deal policies continued to affect the agricultural land market, potentially impacting future cabbage production conditions.

Production cabbages in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's cabbage production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 32,160 tonnes of cabbages, marking a sharp 30.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 23.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 47,240 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 13.0%.

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

Exports cabbages from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Bulgaria's cabbage exports rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 3,011 tonnes, representing a significant 49.8% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 18.4%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,011 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania accounted for 81.6% of Bulgaria's total cabbage exports by volume, with the remaining exports distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

In 2020, Bulgaria's cabbage exports in value terms amounted to 814,000 US dollars, showing a substantial 14.2% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 14.2%, with an average annual decrease of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 661,000 US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 30.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 43.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania and Poland dominated Bulgaria's cabbage exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 83.4% of total export value, while other markets made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria imported 9,081 tonnes of cabbages in 2020, a 3.4% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 8,779 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 21.1%. In contrast, 2018 recorded the highest import volume at 11,128 tonnes, with the largest increase of 21.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, North Macedonia, Greece, and Albania were the three largest sources for Bulgaria's cabbage imports by volume, together accounting for 84.9% of total 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

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's cabbage imports in value terms declined in 2020. Imports totaled 2,453,000 US dollars, down 5.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 10.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 2,594,000 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia (47.6% of import value), Germany (20.8% of import value), and Greece (5.1% of import value) were the key sources for Bulgaria's cabbage imports in value terms, collectively representing 73.4% of total import value.

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

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