Calcareous building stone market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Bulgarian market for calcareous building stone experienced substantial growth, with its volume more than doubling from 50.2 thousand tonnes to 100.4 thousand tonnes. This period of expansion established a significantly larger domestic market for the material.

Following the 2021 peak, market volume contracted to 87.5 thousand tonnes in 2022. A partial recovery to 93.3 thousand tonnes occurred in 2023, but volume fell again to 77.8 thousand tonnes by the end of 2024, indicating a period of market adjustment and volatility.

Measured in value, the market showed a parallel trend, reaching its highest point at $9.9 million in 2020. After a decline to $5.9 million in 2022, the market's value recovered to approximately $8.8 million in 2024.

Production calcareous building stone in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's calcareous building stone production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 11 783 K $ US, marking a 14.7% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 129%, which translates to an annualized rate of 31.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's calcareous building stone production declined. In 2020, 115.2 K t were produced, representing a 4.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 53.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.3%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 121.1 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 41.9% jump.

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

Exports calcareous building stone from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's calcareous building stone exports have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 16 354 t, reflecting a sharp 69.0% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 61.5%, with a CAGR of -27.2%. The highest level was recorded in 2018 at 56 329 t, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 with a 32.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria's export structure in kind was heavily concentrated on Greece, which accounted for 76.4% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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 calcareous building stone exports have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 1 896 K $ US, showing a 45.8% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 28.7%, with a CAGR of -10.6%. The maximum value was reached in 2018 at 4 026 K $ US, and the largest increase also took place in 2018 with a 51.5% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (64.7% of exports in value terms), Romania (9.1%), and China (7.3%) remained the primary buyers of calcareous building stone from Bulgaria, collectively accounting for 81.2% 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 calcareous building stone to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with an 8.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria imported approximately 91 t of calcareous building stone, a substantial 286.4% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 18 t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 88.2% drop.

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

During 2017-2020, Greece (36.9% of imports in kind), Cyprus (30.8%), and Turkey (17.1%) consistently led the country structure of imports in kind, together representing 84.8% of total flows.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Imports reached their highest level in 2017 and their lowest in 2020, with a 14.1-fold gap. In 2020, Bulgaria's calcareous building stone imports amounted to 15 K $ US, down 72.7% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 92.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 226.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus and the United Kingdom were the dominant suppliers of calcareous building stone to Bulgaria, together accounting for 85.3% of total import value, with other destinations each holding relatively small shares.

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

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