Dried shelled peas market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian dried shelled peas market underwent a major transformation between 2018 and 2023. Its physical volume contracted sharply from 52 895 t in 2018 to 19 768 t in 2023. In contrast, the market's value recovered after 2019, rising from $6.1 million to $9.9 million by the end of the period.

This shift towards higher value amidst lower volume was partly driven by broader economic pressures. In 2021, inflation and rising energy costs increased prices across the fast-moving consumer goods sector, elevating the market's monetary value. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to unpredictable shifts in consumer behavior during that year. Later, in 2023, the sector saw concrete investments with the launch of a new pea processing plant in the Shumen Industrial Park, indicating development in production capacity, alongside reported growth in the turnover of major agricultural processors.

The market landscape continued to evolve in 2024. Authorities introduced new regulations and controls for farmers' markets to enhance food safety and quality. Concurrently, the return of major international retailer Carrefour to Bulgaria promised increased competition and consumer access. These developments occurred alongside sustained consumer trends favoring natural and organic products, supported by growing incomes and confidence.

Production dried shelled peas in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria ranked as the 21st largest producer of dried shelled peas globally.

Top producers of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's production of dried shelled peas fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 29.6 thousand tonnes, a sharp 26.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production plummeted by 77.8%, with an average annual decline of 39.4%.

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

Exports dried shelled peas from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 6 250 tonnes of dried shelled peas, a sudden 63.9% decrease compared to 2019. The smallest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 863 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 95.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 504.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Romania, and Spain were the top buyers of Bulgarian dried shelled peas, accounting for 30.2%, 24.7%, and 22.1% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they made up 77.0% 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, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Export values reached their highest point in 2017 and dropped to the lowest in 2018, with a 15-fold difference. In 2020, Bulgaria's dried shelled peas exports totaled 1 827 thousand US dollars, down 58.2% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 945 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 93.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 362.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Romania, and Spain were the main destinations for Bulgarian dried shelled peas in value terms, representing 30.2%, 22.5%, and 20.7% of exports, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 73.4% 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 dried shelled peas to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's imports of dried shelled peas rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 222 tonnes, a 55.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 608 tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2018, falling by 54.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Moldova, and Austria were the leading suppliers of dried shelled peas to Bulgaria, making up 41.4%, 26.6%, and 7.3% of imports in volume, respectively. Together, they represented 75.2% 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

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. Import values peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference. In 2020, Bulgaria's dried shelled peas imports amounted to 660 thousand US dollars, up 71.5% from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 385 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 46.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, Moldova, and Austria dominated Bulgaria's dried shelled peas imports in value terms, accounting for 39.7%, 19.0%, and 8.4%, respectively. Together, they made up 67.1% 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