Plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for calcined gypsum plasters in Bulgaria increased from 70 451 t to 85 548 t. This growth was supported by consumer preference for gypsum plasters due to their thermodynamic properties and ease of application, alongside the rising popularity of machine application which improved efficiency in construction. Major producers such as GIPS AD invested in modernizing production capacities to meet demand. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the construction sector in 2020, yet the market showed resilience with marginal value growth.

In 2022, market volume declined to 73 182 t, but its value rose to 7.3 million US dollars, reflecting higher prices. This shift coincided with the introduction of electronic document filing and administrative procedures, which may have increased operational costs for businesses. Concurrent investments in production technologies led to higher-quality and more expensive products. New hazardous waste management regulations effective from June 2023 affected production and waste handling of construction materials, likely contributing to the drop in imports to 17 395 t that year. By 2024, exports plummeted to 54 t while imports recovered to 22 302 t, indicating a shift in trade flows.

Production plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Production of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters in Bulgaria has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 701 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Bulgaria produced 52 685 tonnes of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters, representing a significant increase of 36.3% from 2019.

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

Exports plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, the volume of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters exported from Bulgaria declined. In 2020, exports reached 6 284 tonnes, showing a moderate decrease of 9.0% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 908 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania was the dominant partner for Bulgaria's exports in kind, accounting for 70.9% of total flows. Other markets played a less significant role.

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 calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters in value terms totalled 283 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight year-on-year drop of 2.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 277 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.5%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania and Greece were the primary destinations for Bulgaria's exports in value terms, together making up 86.3% of total flows. Other markets contributed to a long tail of smaller 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 plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Imports of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters into Bulgaria increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria imported 25 903 tonnes, indicating a moderate rise of 5.6% from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 5.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 24 450 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey accounted for 81.0% of Bulgaria's total imports in kind of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters. The remaining imports were distributed across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

In 2020, Bulgaria imported calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters worth 3 454 thousand US dollars, showing a controlled reduction of 3.8% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 399 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 3 589 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated Bulgaria's imports in value terms, absorbing 71.4% of the total. The balance was spread across a diverse array of smaller markets.

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

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