Fresh grapes market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh grapes in Bulgaria contracted significantly from 210.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 156.9 thousand tons in 2023. The market's high starting point was characterized by a structural vulnerability due to a heavy reliance on imports and susceptibility to external supply chain disruptions. Regional market shifts, such as the redirection of Russian demand to Turkish produce, also created indirect competitive pressures.

A notable recovery of 11.5% occurred in 2021, driven by sectoral stability and increased market turnover. This growth proved temporary as the market faced severe headwinds in 2022. Surging energy, fuel, and fertilizer prices significantly raised production costs, while the war in Ukraine destabilized global markets, contributing to an 8.3% volume drop that year. The downward trend continued into 2023, with market volume falling a further 8.6%, exacerbated by a sharp decline in revenues for top producers and ongoing adverse external economic conditions.

By 2024, the operating environment remained challenging, influenced by falling agricultural land prices and uncertainty stemming from the EU Green Deal, factors that continued to shape investment and production decisions in the sector.

Production fresh grapes in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's fresh grape production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 159.1 thousand tons of fresh grapes, marking a significant decrease of 10.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 201.5 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.4% drop, while the largest increase was minimal, at 0.0% in 2018.

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

Exports fresh grapes from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's fresh grape exports were recorded at 751 tons, representing a substantial increase of 224.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 231 tons in 2019, and the largest decline of 78.7% also occurred in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Greece, and Belarus consistently remained the main destinations for Bulgaria's fresh grape exports in kind. Romania accounted for 40.5% of exports, Greece for 13.6%, and Belarus for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented 65.9% of total export flows.

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 market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's fresh grape exports totaled 707 thousand US dollars, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 207.6%. The minimum value was 230 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the maximum was 1 307 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline of 82.4% was recorded in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Romania, Germany, and Greece were the key destinations for Bulgaria's fresh grape exports in value terms. Romania accounted for 28.3% of exports, Germany for 20.2%, and Greece for 18.4%. Collectively, these three countries made up 66.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fresh grapes to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, Bulgaria's fresh grape import volume increased. In 2020, imports totaled 9 406 tons, reflecting a strong gain of 23.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.4%. The minimum value was 7 642 tons in 2019, and the largest decline of 26.2% also occurred in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Turkey, and North Macedonia stood out as the main sources for Bulgaria's fresh grape imports in kind. Greece accounted for 57.4% of imports, Turkey for 17.2%, and North Macedonia for 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented 84.9% of total import flows.

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

In 2020, Bulgaria's fresh grape import volume reached 4 124 thousand US dollars, up by 14.6% year-over-year. The minimum value was 3 600 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the maximum was 4 862 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline of 26.0% was recorded in 2019, and the largest increase of 19.1% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Turkey, and the Netherlands were the principal sources for Bulgaria's fresh grape imports in value terms. Greece accounted for 30.8% of imports, Turkey for 24.8%, and the Netherlands for 13.0%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 68.7% of total import flows.

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

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