Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for capsicum and pimenta fruits in Bulgaria reached 79 627 t in 2018, supported by active industry coordination through the Association 'Bulgarian Pepper' and the adoption of improved agricultural techniques like drip irrigation. Growth continued in 2019, with the market expanding to 88 915 t. However, 2020 saw a significant contraction to 74 021 t, primarily due to a reported 20% reduction in cultivated pepper area caused by a severe shortage of labor and a lack of technological innovation in the sector.

Market conditions proved volatile in the following years. Volume recovered strongly to 88 999 t in 2021, then fell sharply to 70 770 t in 2022, before partially rebounding to 78 757 t in 2023. These swings highlight the market's sensitivity to annual variations in production and trade dynamics.

By 2024, the structure of the Bulgarian pepper market was further influenced by rising imports of fresh, particularly greenhouse-grown, pepper from Turkey, which supplied the market year-round. Concurrently, the influx of low-cost Chinese red pepper led to the closure of hundreds of local processing enterprises, significantly reshaping the competitive landscape.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

In 2019, Bulgaria produced 63,980 tonnes of capsicum and pimenta fruits, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production declined by 20.3% in 2020 to 50,990 tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 6.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 23.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of capsicum and pimenta fruits production in Bulgaria reached its peak at 105.2 million US dollars. This was followed by a decrease to 80.3 million US dollars in 2020, representing a 23.6% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 5.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 79.4 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 32.5% rise.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the export volume reached 6,536 tonnes, which is 57.4% higher than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 181%, with an average annual growth rate of 41.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania was the leading destination for Bulgaria's capsicum and pimenta fruits exports in volume terms, accounting for 48.0% of the total. Hungary followed with 18.9%, and Germany with 17.4%. Together, these three countries represented 84.3% of Bulgaria's export flows in this category.

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 capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 10,298 thousand US dollars, up by 50.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 184.9%, with an average annual increase of 41.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania was the top destination for Bulgaria's capsicum and pimenta fruits exports in value terms, making up 57.9% of the total. Germany accounted for 18.7%, and Hungary for 10.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 86.8% of Bulgaria's export value in this sector.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in volume terms have shown varied trends. In 2018, imports peaked at 31,353 tonnes, marking a 29.4% increase from the previous year. However, imports declined by 7.2% in 2019. In 2020, imports rose slightly to 29,567 tonnes, which is 1.7% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 22%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in volume terms were highly concentrated, with Turkey and North Macedonia together accounting for 80.0% of total imports. Other trading partners contributed to the remaining share.

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 imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports increased by 9.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 54.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and North Macedonia dominated Bulgaria's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms, together representing 81.6% of the total. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but smaller portion of imports.

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

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