Gingerbread market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian gingerbread market opened the period at 4.6 thousand tons in 2018 but then contracted over the next two years, falling to 3.1 thousand tons by 2020. This decline occurred alongside a growing consumer focus on healthier biscuit options, exemplified by major player Prestige-96 launching its 'Prestige Wellness' line in 2019, featuring sugar-free gingerbread cookies with functional ingredients like matcha and probiotics. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further shifted behavior, boosting at-home consumption of biscuits, including healthier varieties, which helped support market value even as volume dipped.

From 2021, the market stabilized and began a steady recovery in volume, reaching 3.4 thousand tons in 2024. The sustained trend toward health-oriented and functional products, with consumers actively seeking items with added beneficial ingredients, drove a significant expansion in market value—from $7.5 million in 2021 to $10.5 million in 2024. The increased adoption of e-commerce as a sales channel also facilitated access to these premiumized gingerbread products.

Production gingerbread in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's gingerbread production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 6 291 thousand US dollars, which is 8.2% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 724 thousand US dollars, marking a 27.4% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.3% drop.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Bulgaria's gingerbread production volume has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 2 565 tonnes of gingerbread were produced, which is 14.7% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 4 162 tonnes, representing a 46.0% increase. The sharpest decline was in 2019, with a 27.7% drop.

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

Exports gingerbread from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's gingerbread export volume declined. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 241.7 tonnes of gingerbread, which is 7.5% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 261.4 tonnes, reflecting an 8.3% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece formed the main cluster of markets for Bulgaria's gingerbread exports in volume terms. Serbia accounted for 30.8% of exports, North Macedonia for 13.0%, and Greece for 11.2%, together making up 54.9% 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

In 2020, gingerbread shipments from Bulgaria totaled 907 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic rise of 29.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 54.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.6%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 6.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Bulgaria's gingerbread exports in value terms was highly diversified. Serbia accounted for 24.4% of exports, Greece for 10.4%, and Saudi Arabia for 9.3%, together representing 44.2% of total flows. The remaining 55.8% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports gingerbread to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria's gingerbread import volume totaled 752.7 tonnes, indicating a 16.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 85.9%, equating to an average annual rate of 23.0%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 5.6% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 69.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and Germany were the main sources of gingerbread imports to Bulgaria in volume terms. Poland accounted for 45.0% of imports, Czechia for 22.8%, and Germany for 8.3%, together making up 76.1% 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 gingerbread imports were valued at 1 668 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial uptick of 22.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 83.1%, equating to an average annual rate of 22.3%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 9.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 65.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and Germany led as the top suppliers of gingerbread to Bulgaria in value terms. Poland accounted for 43.1% of imports, Czechia for 18.2%, and Germany for 16.4%, with their combined share reaching 77.7% of total imports.

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

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