Ice cream market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Bulgarian ice cream market volume contracted from 27 114 t to 17 636 t. This decline was largely driven by the closure of key production facilities, notably the Froneri ice cream plant in Varna in 2019, which caused domestic output to plummet from 26 707 t to 9 200 t over the same period. Imports rose steadily, partially offsetting the drop in local supply but not preventing an overall market contraction. The earlier part of the period saw market consolidation, with Unilever's acquisition of a major local factory, alongside the emergence of new product segments like multi-packs and offerings with healthier ingredients.

Following the 2020 low, the market began a gradual recovery, reaching 20 976 t in 2023 and 25 356 t in 2024. The rebound in 2024 was supported by a 19% year-on-year increase in domestic production, one of the highest growth rates in the EU. This expansion occurred despite ongoing structural shifts, including the closure of a plant in Debelets and Unilever's decision to move its production out of Bulgaria in August 2024 due to local labor shortages. These developments further increased the market's reliance on imported ice cream, which came to account for over 80% of volume.

Consumer interest in premium and innovative ice cream products, as well as multi-pack formats, continued to stimulate demand throughout the recovery period. The market remained highly concentrated, dominated by two international players, Froneri Bulgaria (Nestlé) and Unilever Ice Cream Bulgaria, which together held about 75% of the market by 2024.

Production ice cream in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's ice cream production value has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 23 569 thousand US dollars, marking a significant drop of 10.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 47.4%, with an average annual decline of 19.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 48 655 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019, when production fell by 45.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with growth of 8.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Bulgaria ranked as the 20th largest producer of ice cream between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of ice cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of ice cream, 2017-2020

Ice cream production in Bulgaria has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 9 200 tonnes of ice cream, representing a sharp decline of 24.9% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 60.7%, with an average annual decrease of 26.7%. The peak was in 2018, with 26 707 tonnes produced. The most substantial year-on-year reduction was in 2019, at 54.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 14.2%.

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

Exports ice cream from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's ice cream exports have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1 754 tonnes, down by 23.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 49.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 20.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 521 tonnes. The largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 49.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with growth of 29.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Serbia, and Greece were the main markets for Bulgaria's ice cream exports by volume. Romania accounted for 62.0% of exports, Serbia for 15.5%, and Greece for 12.6%, together making up 90.1% 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 value of ice cream exports from Bulgaria has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria exported ice cream worth 4 140 thousand US dollars, a significant reduction of 21.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 47%, with an average annual decline of 19.1%. The peak export value was in 2018 at 10 621 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decrease was in 2019, with a drop of 50.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with growth of 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Greece, and Serbia were the primary buyers of Bulgarian ice cream by value. Romania accounted for 57.5% of exports, Greece for 13.6%, and Serbia for 12.9%, jointly representing 84.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports ice cream to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's ice cream imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 10 189 tonnes, up by 13.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 148.4%, with an average annual increase of 35.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Serbia, Germany, and Poland—together accounted for 69.1% of Bulgaria's total ice cream imports by volume.

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

The value of ice cream imports into Bulgaria has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, Bulgaria imported ice cream worth 26 095 thousand US dollars, indicating an increase of 19.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 130.1%, with an average annual rise of 32.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Germany, and Romania were consistently the main sources of ice cream imports by value into Bulgaria. Serbia accounted for 38.7% of imports, Germany for 15.1%, and Romania for 9.9%, together making up 63.8% 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