Milk and cream market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milk and cream in Bulgaria showed a general decline from 1 090 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 942 thousand tonnes in 2023. This downward trajectory was interrupted by a rebound in 2020, when volume recovered to 1 091 thousand tonnes, nearly matching the initial level.

After the 2020 recovery, the market resumed its contraction, with volume falling to 1 060 thousand tonnes in 2021, 977 thousand tonnes in 2022, and 942 thousand tonnes in 2023. The overall reduction over the period amounted to approximately 14%.

Production milk and cream in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, milk and cream production in Bulgaria rebounded in 2020. The country produced 1 043 thousand tons that year, marking a 7.1% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 974 thousand tons, which also saw the steepest annual decline of 7.4%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Export data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 10 079 tons of milk and cream, representing a 5.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 13 872 tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 23.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with an 81.6% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Romania were the dominant partners in Bulgaria's milk and cream exports by volume, with all other countries accounting for the remainder.

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 export market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and reached their peak in 2018, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of milk and cream exports from Bulgaria totaled 7 406 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 6.7% increase compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 784 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.0% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with an 85.6% rise.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Greece dominated Bulgaria's milk and cream exports by value, accounting for 70.8% of total flows, while other markets held relatively smaller shares.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, milk and cream imports into Bulgaria increased in 2020. Imports reached 58 383 tons that year, showing a 24.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 10.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 46 873 tons, which also saw the largest annual decline of 10.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania (23.5% of import volume), Poland (21.0%), and Hungary (17.3%) formed the main cluster of suppliers for Bulgaria's milk and cream imports by volume, together accounting for 61.8% of total 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

After two years of decrease, Bulgaria's milk and cream imports by value rose in 2020. The import value reached 35 698 thousand US dollars, indicating a 22.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 8.5%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 29 056 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.7%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Poland (22.4% of import value), Romania (21.3%), and Greece (14.2%) led as the top suppliers of milk and cream to Bulgaria by value, with their combined share reaching 57.9% of total imports.

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

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