Non coniferous sawnwood market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Bulgarian non-coniferous sawnwood market volume contracted from 113.3 thousand m³ to 86.7 thousand m³. The most severe drop occurred in 2020, when the market shrank by 43.7% to 66.5 thousand m³. This sharp decline was driven by a significant fall in demand for firewood as consumers switched to alternative heating sources, while the COVID-19 pandemic further dampened market activity.

After stabilizing in 2021, the market volume rebounded by 41.6% in 2022, reaching 92.3 thousand m³. This recovery was linked to increased consumption of wood by the construction sector, which became a larger consumer than the furniture industry. However, in 2023 the market volume fell again by 6.1% to 86.7 thousand m³ due to the continuing decline in the use of wood for heating.

Throughout the period, the market was characterized by high state ownership of timber resources, estimated at around 80%, influencing supply conditions. No entry of new major players or significant investments in production facilities was reported, contributing to market stagnation.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's production of non-coniferous sawnwood has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 78.6 thousand cubic meters, marking a sharp drop of 28.0% from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 35.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 13.8%. The peak was reached in 2018, with 123.4 thousand cubic meters, when production saw its largest increase of 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of non-coniferous sawnwood production in Bulgaria has also decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 22 544 thousand US dollars, representing a 32.3% decline compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 43.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 42 026 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.7%.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, m³

Following a two-year decline, Bulgaria's exports of non-coniferous sawnwood rebounded in 2020. Exports totaled 35 529 cubic meters, showing a strong increase of 20.7% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 18.1%, averaging an annual decrease of 6.4%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 29 429 cubic meters, when exports experienced their largest drop of 30.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Bulgaria's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in volume terms were Greece, Italy, and Turkey. Greece accounted for 36.4% of exports, Italy for 17.0%, and Turkey for 9.0%. Together, these three countries made up 62.4% of total export volumes.

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 value terms, Bulgaria's exports of non-coniferous sawnwood reached 10 184 thousand US dollars in 2020, up 13.5% year-over-year. Despite this recent gain, exports decreased by 27.6% over the 2017-2020 period, with an average annual decline of 10.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 970 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 38.2%. The peak occurred in 2018, with exports valued at 14 506 thousand US dollars.

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

In terms of value, Italy, Greece, and Turkey were the key markets for Bulgaria's non-coniferous sawnwood exports from 2017 to 2020. Italy represented 23.6% of export value, Greece 22.7%, and Turkey 7.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 53.4% 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 non coniferous sawnwood to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, m³

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood in volume terms fell in 2020. Imports amounted to 23 388 cubic meters, a steep decline of 38.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.6%, averaging an annual drop of 5.9%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 38 219 cubic meters, which also recorded the largest increase of 17.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for Bulgaria's non-coniferous sawnwood imports in volume terms were Romania, Germany, and Ukraine. Romania contributed 39.6% of imports, Germany 21.7%, and Ukraine 16.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.9% of total import volumes.

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

Following a two-year upward trend, Bulgaria's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood in value terms declined in 2020. Import value stood at 11 900 thousand US dollars, a significant decrease of 20.2% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 50.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 14 918 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 43.7%.

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

In value terms, Germany, Ukraine, and Romania were the main suppliers of non-coniferous sawnwood to Bulgaria from 2017 to 2020. Germany accounted for 37.9% of import value, Ukraine for 23.0%, and Romania for 11.8%. Combined, these three countries made up 72.7% 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