Pasta and couscous market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Bulgarian pasta and couscous market volume grew from 18 370 t to 18 744 t. This increase was supported by the product's growing association with healthy and Mediterranean diets, a trend that led to the launch of new brands like Interfoods Bulgaria in 2017. Fierce competition between established brands such as Anacom and Mr Park also kept the market dynamic, with traditional forms like spaghetti and couscous remaining the most popular.

Market volume expanded significantly to 22 421 t in 2020 and reached 23 404 t by 2022. This growth coincided with a sustained consumer shift towards healthy eating and natural products, a preference noted in 2021. By 2022, the market was responding with greater variety, including specialty items like lasagna and cannelloni, while couscous gained new usage occasions as a quick breakfast option, particularly in households with children, which likely increased overall consumption.

In value terms, the market grew even more sharply, from 19.9 million USD in 2018 to 35.7 million USD in 2022, indicating a move towards higher-quality and more diverse product offerings within the category.

Production pasta and couscous in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Bulgaria, the output value of pasta and couscous reached 10 671 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a significant increase of 38.3% compared to the previous year. Production grew by 27.9% between 2018 and 2020, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 713 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 7.5% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Bulgaria produced 11 808 tonnes of pasta and couscous in 2020, representing a 25.7% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production rose by 28.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.8%. The minimum production volume was 9 166 tonnes in 2017, while the largest decline of 5.1% was recorded in 2019.

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

Exports pasta and couscous from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The export market for pasta and couscous from Bulgaria showed an unstable trend during the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 450 tonnes, with the largest decline of 7.4% occurring that year. In contrast, exports peaked in 2020 at 1 922 tonnes, reflecting a dramatic increase of 105.6% compared to 2019. The largest increase of 107.8% was recorded in 2019, resulting in a 4.3-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of Bulgarian pasta and couscous in volume terms were Romania, accounting for 32.1% of exports, Germany with 19.2%, and the Philippines at 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented 57.5% 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

Bulgaria's pasta and couscous export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 203 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp uptick of 77.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 296.4%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 58.3%.

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

In value terms, from 2017 to 2020, Germany led the export structure with 35.7% of total exports, followed by Romania at 17.6% and the United Kingdom at 8.0%. These three markets together accounted for 61.3% of Bulgaria's total pasta and couscous 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 pasta and couscous to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's pasta and couscous import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 12 535 tonnes, up by 21.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 32.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The lowest import volume was 8 917 tonnes in 2018, which also saw the largest decline of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of pasta and couscous imports to Bulgaria in volume terms were Greece, contributing 43.7% of imports, Italy with 20.5%, and Turkey at 6.8%. Together, these three countries made up 71.0% of total import flows in kind.

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 pasta and couscous import value rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached approximately 17 238 thousand US dollars, increasing by 25.6% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 44.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.0%.

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

In value terms, from 2017 to 2020, Greece was the leading source of imports with 32.5%, followed by Italy at 22.6% and Germany at 9.6%. This main cluster of markets represented a combined share of 64.7% of Bulgaria's total pasta and couscous import flows.

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

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