Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Bulgaria, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2021, starting at 5 394 т in 2018 and falling to 4 512 т in 2019. Regulatory changes in 2019, including amendments to the Law on Seed and Planting Material, reduced administrative burdens for seed producers. By 2021, the sector showed signs of organization with 40 producer groups operating, including two dedicated to oilseed crops.

A sharp contraction to 2 570 т occurred in 2022, primarily driven by the war in Ukraine which disrupted supply chains and increased input costs like fertilizers. New EU organic production regulations effective from January 2022 and stricter fiscal controls on high-risk goods further constrained market activity. Amendments to Ordinance No. 3 on direct payments also altered minimum expenditure norms for seeds and planting material, adding to the regulatory pressure.

The market recovered to 4 035 т in 2023, supported by updated direct payment rules under Ordinance No. 3 that defined support rates for coupled aid interventions, including those for oilseed crops. Continued strengthening of phytosanitary and fiscal controls on seed and product movements also shaped the trading environment during this rebound.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 300 tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 090 tonnes, which represented a 25.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 15.3%.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 1 293 tonnes, showing a modest year-over-year decrease of 3.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 71.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 34.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. Mexico accounted for 19.9% of exports, Greece for 16.6%, and Romania for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 48.1% 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 a two-year decline, Bulgaria's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms increased in 2020. Exports totaled 3 474 thousand US dollars, marking a controlled year-over-year uptick of 6.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 55.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 23.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 252 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 58.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Bulgaria's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. Mexico accounted for 20.3% of export value, Greece for 10.7%, and Romania for 10.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 41.7% 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 oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

The import market for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Bulgaria showed significant volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 539 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 2 671 tonnes, representing a 1.7-fold variation between these years. In 2020, imports increased by 73.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was the largest contributor to Bulgaria's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms, accounting for 31.1% of imports. China followed with 26.8%, and Paraguay with 14.5%. Together, these three countries represented 72.5% 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 imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in value terms showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2 841 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 6 881 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports increased by 116.0% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 28.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the main supplier of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Bulgaria in value terms, accounting for 33.6% of imports. Ukraine followed with 24.1%, and Paraguay with 13.1%. Together, these three countries formed 70.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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