Lettuce and chicory market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh lettuce and chicory in Bulgaria fell from 9 202 t in 2018 to 6 554 t in 2020, before recovering to 7 504 t in 2022 and declining slightly to 7 201 t in 2023.

Amid these fluctuations, the fruit and vegetable sector experienced business growth among large companies, with two firms holding a significant market share and revenues above BGN 10 million in 2019. Farmer's markets continued to support local production and consumption of fresh vegetables, including lettuce and chicory.

Imports provided a steady supply, ranging from 3 466 t to 4 258 t per year, while exports remained negligible. In 2024, lettuce prices varied seasonally, with year-round availability due to short growth cycles and easy cultivation.

Production lettuce and chicory in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's lettuce and chicory production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 430 tonnes, marking a sharp year-over-year decrease of 40.3%. Production has been falling since 2017, with a total decline of 53.1% over the period, equivalent to an annualized rate of 22.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 340 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.1%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Bulgaria's lettuce and chicory exports dropped sharply to 3 tonnes in 2020, down 93.1% from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 with 39 tonnes, creating a dramatic 14.4-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 139.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania accounted for 66.0% of Bulgaria's lettuce and chicory exports by volume, followed by Czechia with 11.4% and Germany with 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 88.2% 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 data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Bulgaria's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms fell to 4 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 90.0% decrease year-over-year. The peak was in 2019 at 43 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 10-fold variation between these years. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 312.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania was the largest buyer of Bulgarian lettuce and chicory by value, accounting for 55.1% of exports. Italy followed with 18.4%, and Germany with 9.6%. These three countries together made up 83.1% 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 lettuce and chicory to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria imported 4 126 tonnes of lettuce and chicory, a 7.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 9.6%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the leading source of Bulgaria's lettuce and chicory imports by volume, representing 58.3% of the total. The Netherlands contributed 13.3%, and Spain 11.0%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 82.6% of 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

Bulgaria's lettuce and chicory imports in value terms reached 4 807 thousand US dollars in 2020, rising 10.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 11.4%, and the largest decline was in 2019 at 6.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany dominated Bulgaria's lettuce and chicory imports by value, accounting for 66.1% of the total. The Netherlands followed with 11.5%, and Spain with 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 86.9% of import value flows.

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

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