Porcelain or china sanitary ware market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2021 and 2024, production of porcelain or china sanitary ware in Bulgaria remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 102.6 million USD and 105.9 million USD. Over the same period, the domestic market size contracted from 31.9 million USD in 2021 to 26.5 million USD in 2023, before recovering to 28.3 million USD in 2024. Bulgaria maintained a strong export orientation, with exports consistently exceeding imports throughout the available data series from 2018 onwards.

The market rebound in 2024 was supported by several factors. New product safety regulations, including the General Product Safety Regulation effective from December 2024, required compliance with updated standards for sanitary ware. Continued emphasis on hygiene and sanitation following the COVID-19 pandemic sustained demand for sanitary products. Additionally, evolving consumer preferences towards more eco-friendly and stylish porcelain sanitary ware, along with new requirements for sanitary facilities in various buildings such as sports venues, contributed to market dynamics.

Production porcelain or china sanitary ware in Bulgaria

According to Faostat, there is no production of porcelain or china sanitary ware in Bulgaria.

Exports porcelain or china sanitary ware from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K unit

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2 047 thousand units, then surged to a peak of 55 897 thousand units in 2019 — a dramatic 27-fold increase. In 2020, foreign porcelain or china sanitary ware supplies from Bulgaria amounted to 7 472 thousand units, representing a sharp contraction of 86.6% compared to 2019. The largest percentage increase was recorded in 2019 at 2,630.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

During the period from 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom were key buyers of porcelain or china sanitary ware from Bulgaria, accounting for 16.0%, 15.6%, and 11.8% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 43.3% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 56.7% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

Cross-border shipments of porcelain or china sanitary ware from Bulgaria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 83 426 thousand US dollars worth of porcelain or china sanitary ware, marking a reduction of 9.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 98 178 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 9.5%.

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

The analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. France, Italy, and the United Kingdom accounted for 15.9%, 15.0%, and 12.2% of exports in value terms, respectively. Together, they represented only 43.0% of total flows, while a significant 57.0% was attributed to other partners.

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

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

Imports porcelain or china sanitary ware to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K unit

In 2020, Bulgaria imported 356 thousand units of porcelain or china sanitary ware, reflecting a notable decrease of 19.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 440 thousand units, with the largest increase that year at 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K unit

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Turkey, and Czechia played leading roles in imports in kind of porcelain or china sanitary ware to Bulgaria, accounting for 27.9%, 16.4%, and 12.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Jointly, they accounted for 56.7% 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

Porcelain or china sanitary ware imports to Bulgaria declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 18 466 thousand US dollars, which is 8.1% less compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy, Turkey, and Czechia were the main suppliers of porcelain or china sanitary ware to Bulgaria, accounting for 28.1%, 16.3%, and 12.3% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, they comprised 56.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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