In-shell walnuts market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian in-shell walnut market showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. It began the period at 4 455 t, saw a minor contraction in 2019, and then expanded sharply to reach a high of 5 031 t in 2020.

Following the 2020 peak, the market entered a phase of sustained contraction for three consecutive years. The volume declined to 4 836 t in 2021, fell further to 4 408 t in 2022, and dropped to 3 785 t by 2023, marking a total decrease of 15% compared to 2018.

This overall reduction in market size occurred alongside a significant fall in domestic walnut production, which more than halved from 5 120 t to 3 450 t over the same period, while import and export levels fluctuated year-to-year.

Production in-shell walnuts in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of in-shell walnuts, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's in-shell walnut production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 750 tonnes of in-shell walnuts, marking a 1.9% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 33.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 10.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 120 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 5.5% decline, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 44.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of in-shell walnut production in Bulgaria reached 7 624 thousand US dollars, representing a 23.0% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 46.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 8 151 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decrease happened in 2019 with a 23.9% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, jumping by 56.3%.

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

Exports in-shell walnuts from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Bulgaria's in-shell walnut exports peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 28-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 113 tonnes of in-shell walnuts, which was an 89.2% contraction compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 28.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Albania, and Turkey were the primary markets for Bulgaria's in-shell walnut exports in volume terms. Romania accounted for 57.6% of exports, Albania for 21.2%, and Turkey for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 88.0% 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 showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 26-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Bulgaria's in-shell walnut exports amounted to 182 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 86.5% from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, growing by 3.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Albania, and Greece were the top contributors to Bulgaria's in-shell walnut exports in value terms. Romania made up 53.9% of exports, Albania 20.2%, and Greece 9.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 83.2% 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 in-shell walnuts to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their highest level in 2019 and their lowest in 2018, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria imported 394 tonnes of in-shell walnuts, a 22.7% decrease from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 154 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 510 tonnes. The largest decline happened in 2018 with a 62.1% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019, soaring by 230.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Ukraine were the leading sources for Bulgaria's in-shell walnut imports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 35.4% of imports, Chile for 19.9%, and Ukraine for 13.3%. Together, these three countries represented 68.6% 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

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports varied by 4.8 times, from a high in 2019 to a low in 2018. In 2020, Bulgaria's in-shell walnut imports were valued at 896 thousand US dollars, a 21.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 237 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 1 143 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 48.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 382.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States, Chile, and Poland were the principal suppliers of in-shell walnuts to Bulgaria in value terms. The United States contributed 42.1% of imports, Chile 30.2%, and Poland 6.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.6% 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