Lard and poultry fats market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lard and poultry fats in Bulgaria showed notable shifts between 2018 and 2023. It grew by 16% in 2019, reaching 11 731 tons, but then contracted sharply in 2020 to 9 332 tons. For the next three years, the market size stabilized around 9 300 tons before declining further to 8 871 tons in 2023.

This movement was driven by changes in domestic production and trade flows. Production peaked at 11 439 tons in 2019 but fell in 2020, while exports began a sustained rise after 2020, exceeding 2 000 tons annually from 2022 onward. Imports also increased, particularly in 2021, though not enough to offset the net outflow from exports.

In 2024, global factors such as rising food prices and broader inflation influenced the sector, coinciding with a surge in imports to 2 091 tons and sustained high export volumes of 1 949 tons.

Production lard and poultry fats in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's production of lard and poultry fats declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 11 439 tonnes, marking an 8.9% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 9 061 tonnes, representing a significant 20.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 13.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.8%.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of lard and poultry fats increased after two years of decline. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 393 tonnes, following a sharp 52.6% drop in 2018. By 2020, exports had recovered to 493 tonnes, showing a 25.6% rise compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 60.4%, with an average annual decline of 26.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, France, and Greece were the three main markets for Bulgaria's lard and poultry fats exports, collectively accounting for 95.2% of total export volumes.

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's exports of lard and poultry fats in value terms increased after two years of decline. In 2019, exports reached their minimum at 319.5 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 35.0% decrease from the previous year. By 2020, exports had risen to 476.7 thousand US dollars, up 49.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 36%, with an average annual decline of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Spain, and Greece remained the principal buyers of Bulgaria's lard and poultry fats in value terms. France accounted for 42.5% of exports, Spain for 27.7%, and Greece for 24.5%, together making up 94.7% 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 lard and poultry fats to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's imports of lard and poultry fats increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached approximately 764 tonnes, up 11.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 4 794.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 265.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania was the leading supplier of lard and poultry fats to Bulgaria, accounting for 89.3% of total import volumes, while the remainder was distributed among various other countries.

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

Bulgaria's imports of lard and poultry fats in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 584.4 thousand US dollars, a 51.4% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3 252.6%, with an average annual increase of 222.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, imports of lard and poultry fats to Bulgaria in value terms were heavily concentrated on Romania, which represented 83.9% of total flows; other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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