Pears market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Bulgarian pear market saw volatile domestic production. Output jumped by over 60% in 2019, supported by stable prices and strong demand that prompted growers to increase planting, particularly of French pear varieties. New exporters also entered the market, seeking opportunities abroad. However, production halved in 2020, even as consumers showed growing preference for local fresh produce through popular farmers' markets.

From 2021, market volume recovered and set new records, reaching 9 942 tonnes in 2023. The expansion was aided by the rapid adoption of online shopping, which created new sales channels for fruit. At the same time, the market's heavy dependence on imports—over 90% of fresh fruit is imported—left it exposed to global supply chain disruptions and regional conflict, which limited import growth in 2022 and kept overall market expansion in check.

By 2024, imports continued to climb, reaching 8 025 tonnes, indicating sustained demand and ongoing reliance on foreign supply to meet domestic consumption.

Production pears in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pears, 2017-2020

World map of production of pears, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's pear production declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 5 430 tonnes, representing a significant 61.6% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen sharply to 2 830 tonnes, marking a substantial 47.9% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Exports pears from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's pear exports showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at just 4 tonnes, representing a dramatic 92.7% decline from the previous year. The following year saw a remarkable turnaround, with exports surging by 2 447.0% to reach 96 tonnes in 2019. This upward trend continued into 2020, when exports reached 186 tonnes - a 93.1% increase from 2019 and 49 times higher than the 2018 low.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary and Romania consistently dominated Bulgaria's pear export markets, together accounting for 80.3% of total export volumes. Other trading partners played only supplementary roles during this period.

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

The value of Bulgaria's pear exports displayed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. In 2018, export revenues bottomed out at just 3 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 91.4% decline from the previous year. The situation reversed dramatically in 2019, with export values skyrocketing by 2 211.4% to reach 76 thousand US dollars. This growth continued into 2020, when export revenues reached 231 thousand US dollars - a 202.7% increase from 2019 and 70 times higher than the 2018 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania and Hungary maintained their dominant position in Bulgaria's pear export markets by value, consistently accounting for 80.6% of total export revenues. This high concentration was accompanied by a long tail of smaller markets with minimal shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Bulgaria in value, 2017-2020

Imports pears to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After declining for two consecutive years, Bulgaria's pear imports rebounded in 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3 757 tonnes, representing a 13.6% decrease from the previous year. However, in 2020, imports recovered to 4 745 tonnes - a 26.3% increase year-over-year. Despite this recent growth, imports showed an overall 3.5% decline between 2017 and 2020, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Greece, Turkey, and Italy formed the core group of Bulgaria's pear import sources. Greece led with 47.5% of import volumes, followed by Turkey at 27.0%, and Italy at 5.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.9% of Bulgaria's total pear imports.

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 pear import expenditures showed a strong recovery in 2020. After reaching a low of 1 940 thousand US dollars in 2019 - representing a 14.3% decline from the previous year - import values rebounded dramatically to 2 766 thousand US dollars in 2020. This marked a substantial 42.5% increase year-over-year. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, import values grew by 23.9%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Turkey, Greece, and the Netherlands remained Bulgaria's primary sources for pear imports by value. Turkey accounted for 30.9% of import expenditures, followed by Greece at 27.9%, and the Netherlands at 11.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 70.6% of Bulgaria's total pear import spending.

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

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