Lime market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The lime market in Bulgaria between 2018 and 2024 showed volatile physical volumes but a strong upward trend in value after 2020. Market volume in kind fluctuated between 268.5 and 292.9 thousand tons, peaking in 2023. In contrast, the market value more than doubled from 2020, reaching 40.3 million USD in 2023, indicating significant price increases or shifts in consumption structure.

After declines in 2019 and 2020, both volume and value recovered in 2021. The most pronounced value growth occurred in 2022, when the market size jumped by 39% to 35.6 million USD, followed by a further 13% rise in 2023. This surge coincided with broader increases in consumer spending, though specific drivers for lime are not highlighted in the available sources for these years.

In 2024, market volume fell to 272.2 thousand tons, and value decreased to 35.8 million USD. During this period, the fast-moving consumer goods sector was shaped by evolving consumer habits, including greater control over shopping, demand for seamless purchases, and the use of mobile technology for buying. Economic conditions, such as inflationary waves, also affected the FMCG market, with reports of volume growth in the latter half of the year.

Production lime in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Lime production in Bulgaria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 21 824 thousand US dollars, down 4.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 4.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 23 293 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 11.1% occurring that same year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Bulgaria's lime production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 290.9 thousand tonnes were produced, a decrease of 3.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.1%, averaging an annual decline of 1.0%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 314.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 4.6%.

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

Exports lime from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's lime exports declined. In 2020, exports reached 24 364 tonnes, down 10.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 44.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 334 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 47.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Greece, and Romania were the main markets for Bulgaria's lime exports in volume terms, accounting for 46.7%, 31.3%, and 17.8% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 95.8% 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's lime exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports reached 1 965 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 2.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 71.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 19.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 013 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 64.0% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia and Greece were the dominant buyers of Bulgarian lime in value terms, together accounting for 80.6% of total exports. Other partners played a less significant role during this period.

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

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

Imports lime to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's lime imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 994 tonnes, a sharp reduction of 30.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 865 tonnes, and the largest increase of 55.7% also occurred that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Romania, Turkey, and Greece formed the core sources for Bulgaria's lime imports in volume terms, accounting for 57.2%, 21.9%, and 8.3% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 87.4% 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

In 2020, Bulgaria's lime imports in value terms reached 267 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.6% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 355 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 31.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 61.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Romania, Turkey, and Croatia were the main sources for Bulgaria's lime imports in value terms, accounting for 55.3%, 15.5%, and 10.0% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 80.8% 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