Grape wine market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian grape wine market volume declined from 98.6 million liters in 2018 to 75.5 million liters in 2021. This downward trend was initially driven by falling domestic production, as noted in 2018. The sharpest contraction occurred in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted hospitality and reduced consumption. A partial recovery followed in 2022, with market volume rising to 85.4 million liters, supported by the entry of new international investors and the modernization of wineries, which boosted local output. However, in 2023 the market shrank again to 80.9 million liters amid rising retail prices and increased production costs.

Consumer preferences evolved throughout the period, with growing interest in rosé and sparkling wines and a boom in bag-in-box packaging. Wine culture deepened, reflected in restaurants hiring sommeliers and mass-market consumers seeking higher-quality products. The market became more competitive, with increasing imports from countries like South Africa, New Zealand, and Argentina, particularly in the lower price segment, while domestic producers focused on elevating quality and targeting the mid-price and premium tiers.

Production grape wine in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

On a global scale, Bulgaria ranked as the 20th largest producer of grape wine during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of grape wine, 2017-2020

World map of production of grape wine, 2017-2020

Grape wine production in Bulgaria declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 92 million liters of grape wine, representing a 15.4% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 23.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports grape wine from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K l

Grape wine exports from Bulgaria declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 22 907 thousand liters, which is 8.6% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 27%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Sweden, and Russia were the main destinations for Bulgarian grape wine exports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 47.0% of exports, Sweden for 14.6%, and Russia for 7.3%, together making up 68.8% of total exports.

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 exported grape wine worth 35 018 thousand US dollars in 2020, down by 10.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Sweden, and Russia remained the primary destinations for Bulgarian grape wine exports in value terms. Poland contributed 30.9% of export value, Sweden 15.8%, and Russia 6.9%, collectively accounting for 53.6% of total exports.

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

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

Imports grape wine to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K l

Grape wine imports into Bulgaria increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 9 714 thousand liters, marking a modest rise of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 11.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018, at 8 561 thousand liters, which also saw the largest decline of 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and France were the three principal sources for grape wine imports into Bulgaria in volume terms, together accounting for 57.0% 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

Foreign grape wine supplies to Bulgaria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 23 062 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decline of 0.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 8.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018, at 23 361 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for grape wine imports into Bulgaria in value terms were France, Italy, and New Zealand. France accounted for 28.5% of import value, Italy for 24.4%, and New Zealand for 10.4%, jointly making up 63.3% 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