Narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive excluding labels, badges and similar articles market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for narrow woven fabrics in Bulgaria experienced notable shifts. In 2018, the market size reached 22 549 thousand US dollars, supported by significant Italian investment from the Miroglio group into several Bulgarian textile companies, which strengthened local production capabilities and export performance. The following year, the market contracted to 18 801 thousand US dollars as import values fell, while exports rose, indicating a possible rebalancing. A modest recovery occurred in 2020, with the market growing to 19 346 thousand US dollars.

From 2021 onward, import values showed a consistent downward trend, falling from 19 891 thousand US dollars in 2021 to 14 318 thousand US dollars in 2024. This decline coincided with several market influences. In 2022, sharp wage growth in sectors like forestry and computer repair increased production costs across the economy, likely affecting textile import affordability and domestic cost structures. Furthermore, the growing focus on textile recycling and sustainability, evidenced by new recycling capacities from companies like Texcycle, began shaping market demand. By 2023 and 2024, investments in textile innovation and sustainable products, combined with the impact of EU-wide eco-design regulations and stricter labeling rules for transparency, continued to redirect market dynamics. Concurrently, global factors such as the war in Ukraine and inflation exerted pressure on raw material prices and supply chains, contributing to the sustained reduction in import volumes over the period.

Production narrow woven fabrics in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's production of narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive (excluding labels, badges, and similar articles) increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, output was valued at 1 814 K $ US, marking a sharp 25.2% rise from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 31.4%, with an average annual decline of 11.8%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 1 449 K $ US, which saw the largest drop of 39.9%.

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

Exports narrow woven fabrics from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's export volume of narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive (excluding labels, badges, and similar articles) rose after a two-year decrease. In 2020, exports totaled 92 t, showing a modest 6.9% increase from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, export volume declined by 30.2%, with an average annual decrease of 11.3%. The minimum was recorded in 2019 at 86 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Bulgaria's narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive (excluding labels, badges, and similar articles) were North Macedonia (22.2% of exports in kind), Albania (15.5%), and Greece (13.5%). Together, these three countries accounted for 51.1% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2020, Bulgaria exported 2 562 K $ US worth of narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive (excluding labels, badges, and similar articles), indicating a slight 0.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6.7%, with an average annual increase of 2.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 2 035 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 582 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 26.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the principal destinations for Bulgaria's exports in value terms were Albania (24.9% of exports), North Macedonia (17.7%), and France (11.6%). These three countries together represented 54.3% of total 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 narrow woven fabrics to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Bulgaria's import volume of narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive (excluding labels, badges, and similar articles) declined. In 2020, imports reached 1 326 t, reflecting an 11.2% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import volume rose by 5.2%, with an average annual growth of 1.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 494 t, which also saw the largest increase of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive (excluding labels, badges, and similar articles) to Bulgaria were moderately diversified. Germany (15.7% of imports in kind), Italy (15.2%), and Turkey (14.4%) together accounted for 45.3% 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

In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive (excluding labels, badges, and similar articles) amounted to 20 094 K $ US, showing a marginal 0.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 19 934 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 22 173 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, the largest suppliers of narrow woven fabrics and narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by adhesive (excluding labels, badges, and similar articles) to Bulgaria in value terms were Italy (25.1% of imports), Germany (18.7%), and France (10.1%). Together, these three countries made up 53.9% of total import value.

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

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