Footwear with uppers of textile materials market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market for footwear with textile uppers in Bulgaria saw significant growth in volume from 4.8 million pairs in 2020 to a peak of 10.3 million pairs in 2022, followed by a contraction to 8.4 million pairs in 2024. In value terms, the expansion was even more pronounced, rising from 27.8 million USD in 2020 to a high of 60.2 million USD in 2023 before easing to 52.6 million USD in 2024.

In 2023, the market's value reached its highest point, supported by a 22.3% annual increase in retail trade for textiles, clothing, and footwear, reflecting stronger consumer spending. During this period, the market was characterized by a flood of low-cost, often low-quality imported shoes, primarily from Turkey and China, which intensified competition and limited the share of domestic production to an estimated 5%. This import pressure, coupled with a shortage of skilled labor and reliance on toll manufacturing for foreign clients, constrained the development of local brands.

By 2024, market volume continued to soften, though retail trade in the sector posted a modest 1.3% growth in the first quarter. A growing interest in sustainable and circular practices within the textile industry, including recycling and waste reduction, began to influence consumer preferences and production approaches for footwear with textile uppers.

Production footwear with textile uppers in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, 2u

Annual dynamics of production in Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, 2u

Exports footwear with textile uppers from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K 2u

Bulgaria's exports of footwear with textile uppers declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports stood at a higher level, but by 2020 they had dropped to 1 516 thousand pairs, marking a significant 41.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 58.9%, with an average annual decline of 25.7%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 3 840 thousand pairs, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K 2u

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Romania, and Greece remained the primary destinations for Bulgaria's footwear exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 53.2% of total exports, Romania for 14.3%, and Greece for 6.0%. Together, these three countries represented 73.4% of all export flows during this period.

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 footwear with textile uppers in value terms also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 14 221 thousand US dollars, down 28.3% year-on-year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 31%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 936 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 6.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Italy, Germany, and Romania—dominated Bulgaria's footwear exports in value terms. Collectively, they accounted for 60.6% of the total export value of footwear with textile uppers from Bulgaria.

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

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

Imports footwear with textile uppers to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K 2u

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's imports of footwear with textile uppers in volume terms declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 11 519 thousand pairs, but by 2020 they had fallen to 6 243 thousand pairs, a sharp 45.8% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 38.1%, with an average annual decline of 14.8%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K 2u

From 2017 to 2020, China, Turkey, and Greece were the main sources of Bulgaria's footwear imports in volume terms. China supplied 57.1% of total imports, Turkey 18.0%, and Greece 3.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 78.9% of all import flows into Bulgaria.

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 footwear with textile uppers in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 41 480 thousand US dollars, up 7.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 20.6%, translating to an average annual increase of 6.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria's import partners in value terms were diverse. China, Poland, and Romania were the top three, accounting for 18.5%, 14.7%, and 8.4% of total imports, respectively. However, together they made up only 41.6% of total flows, with the remaining 58.4% coming from a wide range of other countries.

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

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