Malt market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The malt market in Bulgaria expanded significantly from 67 883 t in 2018 to 88 260 t in 2020. This growth was supported by substantial investments in production capacity, notably the new malt plant planned by industry leader Malterie Soufflet Bulgaria in Pleven, which aimed to increase capacity by over 50%. The dynamic brewing industry, for which malt is a key raw material, provided a steady demand base.

After stabilizing near 88 731 t in 2021, the market volume declined to 82 403 t in 2022. This contraction coincided with a reported drop in beer production and consumption, influenced by the lingering effects of the pandemic. A strong recovery followed in 2023, pushing the market to a record 98 117 t. This rebound was fueled by record capital investments in malt production facilities and a shift in consumer preferences towards premium and craft segments, including the launch of all-malt beers and the emergence of Bulgarian single malt whisky.

Production malt in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's malt production increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 75 K t of malt, marking a solid 13.1% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 51 K t, when production dropped by 34.9%—the largest decrease in the period. Conversely, the biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 30.2% jump.

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

Exports malt from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 172 t and peaked in 2019 at 1 137 t, showing a 6.6-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Bulgaria's cross-border shipments of malt amounted to 228 t, representing a steep 80.0% decline from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a surge of 560.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Turkey remained the top buyers of Bulgarian malt in terms of volume. Serbia accounted for 54.9% of exports, North Macedonia for 23.8%, and Turkey for 10.0%. Together, these three countries made up 88.7% of Bulgaria's total malt exports by volume.

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 changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms reached their minimum in 2017 and their maximum in 2019, with a 4.4-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's malt exports totaled 165 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 71.0% drop compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 570 K $ US, when exports increased by 304.2%—the largest rise in the period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece led as the main buyers of Bulgarian malt in value terms. Serbia contributed 42.9% of exports, North Macedonia 33.6%, and Greece 7.4%. Collectively, these three partners accounted for 83.9% of Bulgaria's total malt 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 malt to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Foreign malt supplies to Bulgaria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria imported 13 401 t of malt, indicating a 17.5% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 074 t, when imports grew by 12.9%—the largest increase in the timeframe.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Serbia, and Slovakia were the primary suppliers of malt to Bulgaria in volume terms. Austria provided 32.3% of imports, Serbia 24.1%, and Slovakia 18.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 75.0% of Bulgaria's total malt imports by 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, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, Bulgaria's malt import volume declined. In 2020, imports came to 6 588 K $ US, representing a 17.6% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 995 K $ US, when imports rose by 17.0%—the largest increase in the period.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Austria, Serbia, and Slovakia formed the key group of partners for Bulgaria's malt imports in value terms. Austria accounted for 34.1% of imports, Serbia for 19.9%, and Slovakia for 16.7%. Jointly, these three countries represented 70.7% of Bulgaria's total import flows by value.

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

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