Liquid meters market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Bulgaria's imports of liquid meters fluctuated, declining in 2019 before recovering to 4.3 million USD in 2020, while exports saw a significant spike in 2019. The market size for these meters was established at 4.5 million USD in 2020.

Market growth accelerated in 2021, with the market size increasing by 21% to 5.4 million USD. This surge was directly spurred by an energy efficiency directive effective from March 2021, which mandated the replacement of all water and heat meters with remote-read devices by 2027, creating immediate demand for new equipment. The expansion continued strongly into 2022, with the market growing 29% to reach 7.0 million USD, supported by updated metrological control regulations that introduced new visible and legible labeling requirements for measuring instruments, further driving fleet renewal.

Market growth stabilized in 2023, with the market size reaching 7.1 million USD, a 1% increase. This period coincided with further amendments to the national Measurements Law to align with European legislation. Looking ahead, 2024 saw the enactment of a new core Measurements Law and a revised ordinance on instruments subject to metrological control, which set new marking and technical requirements. Concurrently, new rules for liquid fuel quality and sales through measuring systems were introduced, collectively shaping the regulatory landscape for future market development, reflected in a 14% rise in imports and a 50% jump in exports.

Production liquid meters in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

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

Exports liquid meters from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K unit

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.4 thousand units, then surged to a peak of 156.9 thousand units in 2019, representing a massive 392-fold increase. In 2020, cross-border shipments of liquid meters from Bulgaria amounted to 110.5 thousand units, reflecting a 29.6% decline compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 59.2%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 39 134.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, exports of liquid meters from Bulgaria were almost entirely concentrated on Chile, which accounted for 96.8% of total 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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2017, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 566 thousand US dollars, showing a 24-fold variation between these years. In 2020, liquid meter volumes leaving Bulgaria amounted to 473 thousand US dollars, representing a significant 16.4% decrease compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1 041.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile accounted for 71.0% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports liquid meters to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K unit

After a two-year decrease, the volume of liquid meter imports into Bulgaria increased. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 281.7 thousand units, with the largest decline that year at 2.0%. In 2020, imports stood at 306.5 thousand units, reflecting an 8.8% uptick relative to the prior year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (35.2% of imports in kind), Poland (28.7% of imports in kind), and China (11.8% of imports in kind) were the main suppliers of liquid meters to Bulgaria, together comprising 75.6% of total imports in kind.

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, foreign liquid meter supplies to Bulgaria amounted to 4 304 thousand US dollars, which is 5.7% more compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 481 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 28.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.1%. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 22.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (30.0% of imports in value terms), Italy (27.4% of imports in value terms), and Germany (10.1% of imports in value terms) consistently remained the main sources for imports in value terms, together accounting for 67.5% of total flows.

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

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