Not frozen prepared potatoes market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Imports of not frozen prepared potatoes to Bulgaria rose steadily from 4 162 t in 2018 to 7 328 t in 2022, driving market volume growth. This import surge, combined with a declining export trend that fell from 526 t to 289 t over the same period, significantly expanded the available supply on the domestic market.

The physical market volume peaked at 7 606 t in 2022 before contracting to 6 617 t in 2023. This decline coincided with a sharp drop in domestic potato production across Bulgaria, which fell below 120 thousand tons that year due to reduced planting areas and lower yields, constraining the raw material base for processors. Consequently, local production of prepared potatoes more than halved from its 2021 high of 920 t to 316 t in 2023.

In 2024, imports recovered to 6 974 t while exports remained low at 229 t, indicating sustained reliance on foreign supply. Ongoing challenges for potato farmers, including further reductions in cultivation areas and financial constraints, continued to pressure domestic raw material availability. Additionally, a new regulation banning fried potato products in schools from the start of the 2024 academic year came into effect, potentially affecting demand within a specific consumption segment.

Production not frozen prepared potatoes in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports not frozen prepared potatoes from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of not frozen prepared potatoes have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, shipments reached 659 tons, representing a 16.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 24.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 526 tons, which saw a modest decline of 0.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Bulgaria's not frozen prepared potato exports were Romania, North Macedonia, and Greece. Romania accounted for 52.8% of exports in kind, North Macedonia for 17.3%, and Greece for 9.5%. Together, these three countries represented 79.6% 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

After two years of decline, Bulgaria's not frozen prepared potato exports rebounded in value terms. In 2020, exports totaled 1 483 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 45.7% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 5.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 018 thousand US dollars, following a sharp 34.1% drop in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia were the leading destinations for Bulgaria's not frozen prepared potato exports in value terms. North Macedonia accounted for 32.8% of export value, Romania for 26.9%, and Serbia for 14.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 74.1% 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 not frozen prepared potatoes to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's imports of not frozen prepared potatoes have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 5 397 tons, reflecting a solid 16.1% year-over-year growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes rose by 31.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania and Greece were the primary suppliers of not frozen prepared potatoes to Bulgaria, together accounting for 82.2% of total imports in kind. Other countries supplied the remaining volume.

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 imports of not frozen prepared potatoes in value terms have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 22 741 thousand US dollars, marking a 16.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 39.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania dominated Bulgaria's not frozen prepared potato imports in value terms, accounting for 70.2% of total import flows. Other trading partners supplied the remainder.

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

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