Plastic packaging and closures market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

After a slight contraction in 2019, the market size for plastic packaging and closures in Bulgaria recovered to 377.9 million US dollars in 2020. This growth was driven by a surge in demand for single-use plastic packaging, particularly from the food and beverage industry, as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer habits towards online food delivery and increased the use of disposable items like utensils and containers.

Between 2020 and 2024, both imports and exports of plastic packaging saw significant expansion. Imports rose from 122.4 million US dollars to 172.7 million US dollars, while exports grew from 189.8 million US dollars to 254.0 million US dollars. This period was marked by industry investments in new manufacturing technologies, such as aluminum metallization and injection molding, and the adoption of updated packaging standards. Concurrently, producers began preparing for stricter environmental regulations, including extended producer responsibility and upcoming bans on certain single-use plastic items.

The implementation of new EU-derived requirements for single-use plastics from January 2024, including sales reduction targets and specific product bans, coincided with a stabilization of import volumes and a modest dip in exports in 2024, reflecting the market's ongoing adjustment to a more stringent regulatory landscape.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Bulgaria's production of plastic packaging and closures declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 445.4 million US dollars, down 2.5% from 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 461.9 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 10.6% recorded that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.6%, averaging 2.2% per year.

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

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's exports of plastic packaging and closures declined. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 95 622 tonnes, a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2019. Exports reached their highest level in 2019 at 96 245 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 12.9% occurring in 2018. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 17.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Greece, and Romania were the top destinations for Bulgaria's plastic packaging and closures exports by volume. Germany accounted for 31.8% of exports, Greece for 16.5%, and Romania for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 57.6% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Bulgaria's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms declined. In 2020, export value stood at 189.8 million US dollars, down 1.6% from 2019. The peak was reached in 2019 at 192.9 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 15.0% recorded in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 14.4%, averaging 4.6% per year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria's plastic packaging and closures exports in value terms were widely distributed across partner countries. Germany accounted for 24.1% of export value, Greece for 16.0%, and Romania for 9.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 49.2% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market.

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 packaging and closures to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's imports of plastic packaging and closures increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 38 588 tonnes, up 8.7% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 35 109 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 1.8% that year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.9%, averaging 2.6% per year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Greece, and Poland were the leading suppliers of plastic packaging and closures to Bulgaria by volume. Turkey accounted for 29.5% of imports, Greece for 12.1%, and Poland for 10.8%. Together, these three countries made up 52.4% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms amounted to 122.4 million US dollars, increasing by 12.9% year-over-year. The largest annual decline of 3.6% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 20.2% was recorded in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 30.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria's imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms showed a balanced partner structure rather than high concentration. Turkey accounted for 21.5% of import value, Germany for 11.6%, and Greece for 11.2%. These three countries together represented 44.3% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 55.7%.

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

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