Milled rice and broken rice market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian milled rice market expanded significantly between 2018 and 2020, with market volume rising from 7.5 million USD to 13.5 million USD, while domestic production increased from 9.3 million USD to 12.5 million USD. This growth established a larger base for the market ahead of subsequent changes in the trade environment.

From 2021, the market began to see structural shifts, including increased foreign investment in cultivation as Turkish and Italian agricultural holdings operated around 30% of Bulgaria's rice areas. In 2022, India's export ban on rice restricted global supplies, contributing to a rebalancing of the domestic market and a sharp approximately 61% drop in wholesale rice prices in Bulgaria, which coincided with a substantial rise in both import and export values that year.

The period from 2023 to 2024 was marked by heightened regulatory scrutiny and global market volatility. The Commission for Protection of Competition monitored price hikes for essential goods, including rice, while global events such as the war in Ukraine and ongoing Indian export restrictions created worldwide supply instability. In 2024, industry proposals emerged, including a planned 9% VAT rate for Bulgarian rice, stricter border controls, and new legislative requirements for labeling and product safety on farm markets.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's milled rice and broken rice production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 12 496 thousand US dollars, up 24.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 21.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 334 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, Bulgaria's milled rice and broken rice production has rebounded. In 2020, production totaled 16 835 tonnes, a modest increase of 3.6% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 22.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 8.3%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 16 249 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 20.3% decrease.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of milled rice and broken rice have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 21 398 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 33.9%, with an average annual decline of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Bulgaria's milled rice and broken rice exports in volume terms were Romania, Turkey, and Poland. Romania accounted for 60.3% of exports, Turkey for 13.4%, and Poland for 7.8%. Together, these three countries represented 81.5% of total export 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

Bulgaria's export value of milled rice and broken rice has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 13 607 thousand US dollars, up 8.6% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 21.3%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 234 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 29.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Turkey, and Poland were the key destinations for Bulgaria's milled rice and broken rice exports in value terms. Romania accounted for 61.3% of export value, Turkey for 12.4%, and Poland for 6.8%. Collectively, these three countries made up 80.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milled rice and broken rice to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's imports of milled rice and broken rice have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 29 861 tonnes, a significant rise of 23.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 42.4%, with an average annual increase of 12.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 19 994 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of milled rice and broken rice to Bulgaria in volume terms were Myanmar, Greece, and Italy. Myanmar accounted for 38.6% of imports, Greece for 36.1%, and Italy for 6.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 81.1% of total import 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

Bulgaria's import value of milled rice and broken rice has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 14 632 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 27.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 32.5%, with an average annual rise of 9.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 400 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Myanmar, Greece, and Italy were the primary sources for Bulgaria's milled rice and broken rice imports in value terms. Myanmar accounted for 34.4% of import value, Greece for 31.6%, and Italy for 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 75.7% of total import flows.

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

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