Chicken meat and offal market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Bulgarian chicken meat market volume fluctuated, reaching a peak of 169.1 thousand tons in 2023. The market has long been characterized by the dominance of fresh chilled meat, which accounts for approximately 90% of sales, with four large poultry farms producing nearly half of the domestic supply. This consolidated production structure provided a stable base for the market.

A significant price increase of around 35% for chicken meat in 2022 made frozen products more attractive to cost-conscious consumers, shifting demand and leading to a growing share of thawed meat in the market. This price surge was the primary driver behind the substantial growth in market value, which rose from $278.7 million in 2021 to $367.1 million in 2023, even as physical volumes remained relatively steady. Concurrently, domestic producers gradually lost market positions as consumption of imported, thawed chicken increased.

Domestic production remained resilient at around 90 thousand tons annually throughout the period. Imports declined from 2020 to 2022 before recovering in 2023, while exports trended downward, indicating a strengthening focus on meeting domestic consumption needs.

Production chicken meat and offal in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's chicken meat and offal production declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 88 970 tonnes, marking a 1.9% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, output fell to 86 900 tonnes, representing a slight 2.3% decrease compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal production in Bulgaria declined for the second consecutive year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 220.7 million US dollars, reflecting a 5.9% increase from the previous year. By 2020, production value dropped to 193.0 million US dollars, down 8.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K t

Chicken meat and offal exports from Bulgaria declined for the second consecutive year. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 31.7 thousand tonnes, showing a 4.5% increase from the previous year. In 2020, exports fell to 21.0 thousand tonnes, a significant 29.7% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 30.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for Bulgaria's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms were Greece, Romania, and North Macedonia, which together accounted for 81.0% of total exports.

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, M $ US

Bulgaria's chicken meat and offal export value declined for the second consecutive year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 80.2 million US dollars, representing a 10.3% increase from the previous year. In 2020, export value dropped to 46.7 million US dollars, a 34.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 35.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Bulgaria's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms were Greece, accounting for 60.0% of exports, Romania with 11.8%, and the United Kingdom with 7.4%. Together, these three markets represented 79.2% 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 chicken meat and offal to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's chicken meat and offal import volume declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 105.9 thousand tonnes, showing a 2.3% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, imports fell to 93.6 thousand tonnes, an 11.6% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Bulgaria's chicken meat and offal imports in volume terms were Poland, accounting for 39.3% of imports, Romania with 16.9%, and Hungary with 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 68.3% of total import volume.

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, M $ US

Chicken meat and offal import value in Bulgaria declined for the second consecutive year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 115.7 million US dollars, reflecting a 5.5% increase from the previous year. In 2020, import value dropped to 91.1 million US dollars, a substantial 20.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.0%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal sources for Bulgaria's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms were Poland, accounting for 41.9% of imports, Romania with 16.9%, and Greece with 10.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 69.1% 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