Plastic fittings for tubes and pipes market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Bulgarian market for plastic pipe fittings fluctuated, with a noticeable drop in 2019 followed by a recovery in 2020. During this period, the industry modernized, with investments in new production capacities and a shift toward polypropylene pipes, which replaced galvanized steel pipes in plumbing installations. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily disrupted global supply chains, but growing demand for higher-quality and more environmentally friendly products stimulated further investment.

The market surged sharply in 2021, reaching 7 268 t, a 59% increase from the previous year. This jump was driven by significant investment in modernizing production facilities and the introduction of new products with improved technical features, such as anti-electromagnetic technology. Simultaneously, stricter quality and standardization requirements in line with European directives boosted market confidence. In 2022, the market contracted to 5 016 t, partly due to the introduction of new EU labeling rules for plastic products, which took effect in July 2022 and required adaptation from producers and importers. However, European funding for infrastructure projects, such as the construction of water and sewage systems by МПЛАСТ, provided long-term support for the sector.

Market volume recovered to 6 297 t in 2023 and continued to grow in 2024, reaching 6 547 t, indicating sustained demand despite previous regulatory adjustments.

Production plastic fittings for tubes and pipes in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's production of plastic fittings for tubes and pipes has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 11 659 K $ US, marking a sharp rise of 29.4% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 939 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 3.6%. In 2019, production saw the largest increase at 29.9%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 62.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Bulgaria produced 1 183 t of plastic fittings for tubes and pipes, reflecting a decrease of 8.6% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 062 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1 294 t, with the largest increase that year at 21.9%. Over the period 2017-2020, production increased by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5%.

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

Exports plastic fittings for tubes and pipes from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of plastic fittings for tubes and pipes have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 320 t, showing a sharp advance of 43.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 130.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 32.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria supplied plastic fittings for tubes and pipes to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Serbia, Turkey, and the United States—together represented only 47.0% 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

Foreign supplies of plastic fittings for tubes and pipes from Bulgaria have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 20 085 K $ US, up by 24.0% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 115.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets—Germany, the United States, and Hungary—were central to Bulgaria's exports in value terms, together accounting for 59.8% 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 plastic fittings for tubes and pipes to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year reduction, Bulgaria's import volume of plastic fittings for tubes and pipes increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 716 t, showing a notable rise of 19.1% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 958 t, with the largest decline that year at 10.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.0%.

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

The country composition of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Turkey (24.8% of imports in kind), Serbia (11.2% of imports in kind), and Greece (10.4% of imports in kind) together formed just 46.5% of total flows, with the remaining 53.5% split among a wide range of other 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's imports of plastic fittings for tubes and pipes totalled 32 082 K $ US, showing an increase of 26.1% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 25 447 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 32 417 K $ US, with the largest decline in 2019 at 21.5%. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%.

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

Over 2017–2020, there was no single dominant market for Bulgaria's imports of plastic fittings for tubes and pipes. Turkey (26.7% of imports in value terms), Germany (13.8% of imports in value terms), and Czechia (8.9% of imports in value terms) together took only 49.4% of total imports in value terms, while many smaller partners each accounted for 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