Plastic sacks and bags market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Bulgarian market for plastic sacks and bags experienced a decline in physical volume to 47 685 t, largely driven by a sustained consumer shift away from single-use plastic bags, reinforced by EU-wide waste reduction strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 provided a countervailing force, boosting demand for plastic packaging in hygiene and medical sectors, which helped stabilize and slightly increase volume. Meanwhile, market value grew consistently, signaling a move toward higher-value products.

By 2022, the market surged to 56 570 t, valued at 143.6 million USD. This expansion was primarily fueled by the stricter product tax on plastic shopping bags implemented in 2021, which raised costs and altered market economics, alongside a clear consumer preference shift toward reusable and biodegradable alternatives. These factors encouraged producers to diversify their offerings, expanding both the volume and overall value of the market.

Production plastic sacks and bags in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Bulgaria's production of plastic sacks and bags declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 163.2 million US dollars, showing a 1.0% reduction from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 165.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Bulgaria produced 90 228 tonnes of plastic sacks and bags, showing negligible variation compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 2.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 90 121 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 93 808 tonnes, which experienced the largest increase of 1.4%.

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

Exports plastic sacks and bags from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria exported 51 273 tonnes of plastic sacks and bags in 2020, remaining almost flat compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 53 500 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium—together absorbed 74.3% of Bulgaria's total exports of plastic sacks and bags in volume terms.

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

Exports of plastic sacks and bags from Bulgaria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 84 524 thousand US dollars, indicating a modest decline of 4.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 97 724 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, with 42.1% of exports in value terms, the Netherlands at 12.0%, and Greece at 7.8%, remained the main markets for Bulgaria's plastic sacks and bags exports, jointly accounting for 61.8% 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 sacks and bags to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria imported 8 730 tonnes of plastic sacks and bags, marking an uptick of 3.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 9 488 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, with 24.6% of imports in volume terms, Germany at 15.3%, and Greece at 14.2%, made the biggest contribution to Bulgaria's imports of plastic sacks and bags, jointly accounting for 54.0% of total 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, K $ US

Bulgaria imported 25 219 thousand US dollars worth of plastic sacks and bags in 2020, which is 1.3% higher compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 28 241 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 19.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, with 20.5% of imports in value terms, Turkey at 18.0%, and Greece at 15.0%, stood out as the main markets for Bulgaria's imports of plastic sacks and bags, together representing 53.4% of total flows.

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

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