Knitted or crocheted fabrics market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, Bulgaria's market for knitted or crocheted fabrics experienced significant fluctuations in trade volumes. Imports rose from $213.7 million in 2018 to a peak of $279.3 million in 2022 before declining to $177.9 million in 2024. Exports followed a similar pattern, surging from $32.2 million to $77.9 million in 2022 and then falling back to $31.4 million by 2024. The domestic market size, calculated as production plus imports minus exports, grew from $183.5 million in 2020 to $239.2 million in 2021, then dipped slightly to $230.1 million in 2022.

Production volumes increased steadily from $18.2 million in 2020 to $28.7 million in 2022. This growth was supported by the expansion of major local manufacturers. For instance, the state-private company Yana reported a 20% revenue increase in 2022, reflecting enhanced capacity in its knitted goods units, while Kalinel, another top player, achieved nearly 16% revenue growth. Concurrently, the implementation of EU-wide eco-labeling and extended producer responsibility rules from March 2022 introduced new requirements for composition tracking and recycling, shaping both domestic production and trade flows.

After 2022, both imports and exports contracted sharply, suggesting a market adjustment. By 2024, imports had fallen to $177.9 million and exports to $31.4 million, though production data for these years is not available. The overall period shows a market that expanded in the early 2020s, bolstered by local manufacturing gains and regulatory shifts, before entering a phase of reduced trade activity.

Production knitted or crocheted fabrics in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

Exports knitted or crocheted fabrics from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of knitted or crocheted fabrics have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 8 033 tons, representing a significant 39.5% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 80.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 21.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 432 tons, with the largest decline that year being 0.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Greece, and Italy were the primary destinations for Bulgaria's knitted or crocheted fabric exports by volume. Turkey accounted for 34.8% of exports, Greece for 34.4%, and Italy for 9.6%. Together, these three countries made up 78.8% 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, M $ US

Bulgaria's exports of knitted or crocheted fabrics in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 35.5 million US dollars, showing a modest 2.3% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top destinations for Bulgaria's knitted or crocheted fabric exports by value were Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Greece led with 36.0% of exports, followed by Turkey at 21.8%, and Italy at 10.6%. Collectively, these countries represented 68.4% 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 knitted or crocheted fabrics to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's imports of knitted or crocheted fabrics have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 30 378 tons, reflecting a moderate 3.7% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the main sources for Bulgaria's knitted or crocheted fabric imports by volume were Turkey, Greece, and China. Turkey accounted for 43.7% of imports, Greece for 19.0%, and China for 13.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 76.3% of total import 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's imports of knitted or crocheted fabrics in value terms declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 200.8 million US dollars, marking an 8.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 4.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest import value was in 2019 at 219.2 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year being 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Italy, and Greece were the leading sources for Bulgaria's knitted or crocheted fabric imports by value. Turkey accounted for 28.0% of imports, Italy for 22.2%, and Greece for 19.0%. Combined, these countries made up 69.2% 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