Edible brassicas market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh edible brassicas in Bulgaria began the period at 59,666 tons in 2018, supported by the entry of new wholesale players like "Strobyles" and Italian investments in organic production facilities such as "EcoTerra". A slight market contraction to 58,065 tons followed in 2019, coinciding with stricter quality controls and regulations aimed at limiting non-compliant imports, which tightened supply.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted production and distribution chains in 2020, causing a sharp decline in the market volume to 41,600 tons. The market stabilized near this level in 2021 at 41,783 tons, supported by the ongoing development of greenhouse vegetable production, which accounted for a growing share of national output, and the strict application of food safety legislation.

A strong recovery began in 2022, with the market expanding to 51,664 tons driven by a significant increase in greenhouse cultivation area and a 39% revenue surge among the sector's largest companies, indicating major investments. Growth continued to 55,208 tons in 2023, fueled by increased imports of fresh vegetables into Bulgaria and initiatives promoting direct delivery from local producers.

Production edible brassicas in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's edible brassicas production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 50 350 tonnes, but then fell to 34 250 tonnes in 2020, representing a 32.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 21.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 13.8%.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Bulgaria's edible brassicas exports rebounded. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 2 134 tonnes, with a 10.6% decrease that year. However, in 2020, exports rose to 3 011 tonnes, marking a 41.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 17.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania was the dominant market for Bulgaria's edible brassicas exports in volume terms, accounting for 81.1% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among a fragmented group of other countries.

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 edible brassicas exports in value terms showed mixed trends. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 709 thousand US dollars, with a 26.5% decline that year. They then rebounded sharply in 2019, rising to 1 003 thousand US dollars, a 41.6% increase. However, in 2020, exports fell to 814 thousand US dollars, an 18.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania and Poland together dominated Bulgaria's edible brassicas exports in value terms, accounting for 82.5% of the total. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but less significant portion of the 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 edible brassicas to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's edible brassicas imports in volume terms fluctuated during this period. In 2018, imports peaked at 12 223 tonnes, with a 23.1% increase that year. They then dropped to 9 850 tonnes in 2019, a 19.4% decline, before rising to 10 361 tonnes in 2020, a moderate 5.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Greece, and Albania were the main sources for Bulgaria's edible brassicas imports in volume terms. North Macedonia accounted for 59.8% of imports, Greece for 12.3%, and Albania for 7.5%, together making up 79.6% of total import volumes.

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 edible brassicas imports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 3 796 thousand US dollars, a small 2.2% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 32.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Germany, and Spain consistently led Bulgaria's edible brassicas imports in value terms. North Macedonia accounted for 33.3% of import value, Germany for 18.5%, and Spain for 13.3%, together representing 65.1% 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