Melons market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Bulgarian fresh melon market volume showed considerable volatility. It started at 33 510 tons in 2018, declined to 31 136 tons the following year, and stabilized around 31 500 tons in 2020. A significant expansion occurred in 2021, pushing the market volume to 35 635 tons.

The market contracted sharply to 25 634 tons in 2022, primarily due to supply chain disruptions and increased costs for fresh vegetables following the war in Ukraine, which severely affected Bulgaria's import-dependent market for melons. A strong recovery followed in 2023, with the market volume rebounding to 34 813 tons, driven by an expansion of open-field cultivation areas and the introduction of new, more transportable and disease-resistant hybrid varieties.

Production melons in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2018, production volumes varied by a factor of {ampRatio}. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 25 450 tons of melons, an increase of 8.6% compared to the previous year. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 26 600 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.9% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market displayed volatile behavior over these years. There was a {ampRatio}-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2018. In 2020, the value of melon production in Bulgaria reached 20 803 thousand US dollars, showing a modest decline of 5.2% from the year before.

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

Exports melons from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with an 8.5-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 58 tons of melons, which represents a 75.4% increase over the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 97 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 66.2% decrease. The most significant increase took place in 2018, rising by 747.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (32.0% of exports in kind), Romania (28.2%), and Lithuania (19.0%) dominated the export structure, together accounting for 79.3% 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 demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their peak in 2018, showing an 11.7-fold variation. In 2020, the value of melon exports from Bulgaria amounted to 47 thousand US dollars, up 53.1% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 87 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 64.4% drop. The most substantial increase was in 2018, rising by 1 067.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Romania, Germany, and Lithuania—together absorbed 89.3% of Bulgaria's total melon exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports melons to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, melon imports into Bulgaria declined. In 2020, import volume stood at 6 100 tons, down 21.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 738 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 17.3% rise.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Greece accounted for 80.6% of total imports in kind, with the remaining volume distributed among many countries, each holding smaller individual shares.

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, the value of melon imports into Bulgaria totaled 1 840 thousand US dollars, up 6.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 43.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 1.5% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 36.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (39.6% of imports in value terms), Turkey (28.1%), and Germany (14.7%) remained the key sources for imports, together representing 82.4% 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