Paper bags and sacks market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Bulgarian paper bags and sacks market experienced mixed movements. Initial growth in volume to 13 722 t in 2019 was fueled by increasing consumer preference for eco-friendly paper bags over plastic, prompting manufacturers like Klondike to expand their range with multi-layer and vented sacks. The following year, however, saw a contraction to 13 014 t, partly due to tightened safety and hygiene packaging requirements that affected production processes, alongside broader economic disruptions.

The market recovered decisively after 2020, reaching 15 030 t in volume and USD 31 million in value by 2022. This surge was propelled by regulatory changes in Bulgaria mandating specific packaging and storage protocols for electoral materials, which boosted demand for paper sacks and bags. Simultaneously, sustained consumer interest in biodegradable options and continued technological investments by companies such as Sackmarket and Varnapak in multi-color printing and flexible packaging supported market expansion. In 2023, the market value rose further to USD 34.5 million, continuing the upward trend.

Production paper bags and sacks in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's production of paper bags and sacks has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 25 077 thousand US dollars, which is 16.4% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30.8%, with an average annual decline of 11.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Bulgaria's production volume of paper bags and sacks has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 10 104 tonnes, down 3.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 14.9%, with an average annual decline of 5.2%.

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

Exports paper bags and sacks from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria exported 4 911 tonnes of paper bags and sacks, a modest decline of 5.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 11.8%, with an average annual decrease of 4.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 810 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 13.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria's exports in kind were distributed across a diverse range of partners. Greece accounted for 33.1% of exports, France for 8.2%, and Germany for 7.5%, together making up 48.9% of total flows. The remaining 51.1% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

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's exports of paper bags and sacks amounted to 18 975 thousand US dollars, a decline of 11.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.5%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 373 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria's exports in value terms were spread across a wide set of partner countries. Greece accounted for 23.8% of exports, Germany for 10.2%, and France for 9.6%, together representing 43.5% of total 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 paper bags and sacks to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria imported 7 821 tonnes of paper bags and sacks, a moderate decline of 7.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.2%, with an average annual growth of 1.4%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 6 796 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 9.5%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 8 493 tonnes, which experienced the largest increase of 25.0%.

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

An analysis of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Romania accounted for 16.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 15.5%, and Hungary for 13.5%, together making up 45.1% of total flows. The remaining 54.9% was distributed among other partners.

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

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's imports of paper bags and sacks declined. In 2020, imports totaled 14 787 thousand US dollars, a drop of 4.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 18.8%, with an average annual growth of 5.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 501 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for Bulgaria's imports of paper bags and sacks in value terms. Hungary accounted for 14.6% of imports, Italy for 12.5%, and Serbia for 12.5%, together representing 39.6% of total imports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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