Frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses market in Bulgaria fluctuated between 3 200 and 3 600 tons from 2018 to 2023, before a sharp contraction to 2 338 tons in 2024. In value terms, the market reached 12.7 million USD in 2023, driven by significant price increases, despite stable physical volume.

Disease control measures in 2020, including the culling and disposal of animals, likely pressured domestic production. Subsequently, a reduction in the pig herd by the end of 2022 led to lower pork imports, contributing to an 8% drop in market volume that year.

Wholesale prices for pork cuts rose between 2.7% and 9.9% in 2023, elevating the market's value by 35% while volume remained flat. By 2024, export patterns shifted with a steep decline in shipments to key markets like Germany and Romania, even as total exports rose, coinciding with a 29% drop in domestic market volume.

Production frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's production of frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 7 857 thousand US dollars, showing a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.3%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 0.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Bulgaria's production of frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 710 tonnes, marking a 3.8% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 3 246 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 13.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 6.3%.

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

Exports frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 9.4-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 3.3 tonnes of frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses, which is 38.2% lower than the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 31.0 tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 82.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 141.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece remained the primary destination for Bulgaria's frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses exports, accounting for 83.1% of total export volume. Other markets played a much smaller role 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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their peak in 2018 and their lowest point in 2020, showing a 6.5-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 9 thousand US dollars worth of frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses, representing a 41.1% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 58 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 73.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 91.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Greece accounted for 75.9% of the total value of Bulgaria's frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses exports. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria's import volume of frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses reached 727.5 tonnes, increasing by 69.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 83%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.3%. The only decline during this period was recorded in 2019, falling by 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and Belgium formed the main cluster of import markets for Bulgaria, accounting for 37.0%, 20.0%, and 18.1% of import volume respectively. Together, these three countries represented 75.0% 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

Bulgaria's imports of frozen pork carcasses and half-carcasses have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 1 678 thousand US dollars worth of these products, which is 46.9% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 56.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 066 thousand US dollars. The only decline during this period occurred in 2018, falling by 0.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany, Spain, and Belgium formed the core of Bulgaria's import markets by value, accounting for 40.1%, 19.7%, and 18.1% respectively. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% 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