Market research

Men's knitted shirts market in Bulgaria

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The market for men's knitted shirts in Bulgaria contracted sharply from 15.4 million USD in 2018 to 5.5 million USD in 2021. This decline was driven by intense competition from cheap Chinese imports, which pressured local manufacturers and reduced market value. Challenges such as high production costs and lower labor productivity compared to other industries further hindered the sector's competitiveness during this period.

A partial recovery occurred from 2022 to 2024, with market size rising to 8.5 million USD in 2022 and 9.0 million USD in 2023, before moderating to 7.8 million USD in 2024. This turnaround was supported by new circular economy regulations and planned eco-taxes for textiles, which encouraged sustainable production and consumption. Revenue growth and expansion in knitted men's clothing by Bulgarian companies, along with shifting consumer preferences towards online shopping and luxury knitted items, influenced market dynamics.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In value
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2024
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2024
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Bulgaria
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K unit
  2. 5.1.2. In value, 2018-2024, K $ US
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K unit
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, K $ US
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K unit
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2018-2024, K unit
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, K unit
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/unit
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bulgaria, 2018-2024, $ US/unit
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/unit
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K unit
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2018-2024, K unit
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, K unit
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/unit
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bulgaria, 2018-2024, $ US/unit
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/unit
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K unit
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2018-2024, K unit
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, K unit
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/unit
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bulgaria, 2018-2024, $ US/unit
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/unit
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K unit
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2018-2024, K unit
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, K unit
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/unit
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bulgaria, 2018-2024, $ US/unit
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Bulgaria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/unit
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K unit
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K unit
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production men's knitted shirts in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Production reached its peak in 2018 at 17 771 K $ US, then dropped sharply to its lowest point in 2019 at 8 644 K $ US, representing a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, output of men's knitted shirts in Bulgaria remained relatively stable at 8 676 K $ US compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 51.4% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 97.2% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	97.2%	(51.4%)	0.4%	(1.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

In kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Men's knitted shirts production in Bulgaria continued its downward trend for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 824 K units, marking an 11.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.9%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 11.2%. The highest production level was achieved in 2018 with 1 894 K units. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 50.9% reduction, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 61.0% growth.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	61.0%	(50.9%)	(11.3%)	(11.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports men's knitted shirts from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K unit

Foreign supplies of men's knitted shirts from Bulgaria declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 056 K units, showing a substantial year-over-year decrease of 10.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 35.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 13.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 132 K units. The most pronounced decline occurred in 2019 with a 44.9% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 30.2% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	30.2%	(44.9%)	(10.1%)	(13.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Germany, and Italy consistently held the top positions in Bulgaria's export structure for men's knitted shirts in kind. Greece accounted for 45.8% of exports, Germany for 26.8%, and Italy for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented 82.2% of total export flows during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, men's knitted shirts exports from Bulgaria showed an increase in 2020. Export value reached 7 733 K $ US, representing a 14.5% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 28%, which corresponds to an annualized decline rate of 10.4%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 6 756 K $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 37.0% drop.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.2%)	(37.0%)	14.5%	(10.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Germany, Italy, and Greece remained the primary markets for Bulgaria's men's knitted shirts exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 36.7% of export value, Italy for 18.9%, and Greece for 16.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.5% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports men's knitted shirts to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K unit

Bulgaria's import volume of men's knitted shirts declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 044 K units, reflecting a substantial 45.7% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 989 K units. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 30.3% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	30.3%	(3.3%)	(45.7%)	(11.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017–2020 period, the partner landscape for Bulgaria's imports of men's knitted shirts in kind was quite diverse. Germany accounted for 14.6% of imports, Greece for 14.4%, and Turkey for 13.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.0% of total import flows, while the remaining 58.0% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Men's knitted shirts imports to Bulgaria continued to decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 6 013 K $ US, representing a 22.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.2%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 8 392 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 15.2% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.2%	(7.2%)	(22.8%)	(6.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Bulgaria's men's knitted shirts imports in value terms was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 17.0% of import value, Turkey for 12.8%, and Belgium for 8.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 38.6% of total import flows, while the remaining 61.4% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io