Poultry meat and offal market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the poultry meat market in Bulgaria remained stable at around 286 thousand tons. This stability was supported by growing consumption of thawed chicken meat, which offered a cheaper alternative, and consumer preference for fresh chilled meat of Bulgarian and Romanian origin. However, in 2020, the market volume fell sharply to 264 thousand tons. This decline was primarily caused by two factors: the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency's bans on sales of fresh poultry meat at temporary and mobile market outlets, and avian influenza outbreaks that led to closures of farmers' markets, disrupting distribution and sales.

The market recovered in 2021, reaching 279 thousand tons, driven by continued consumer demand for high-quality Bulgarian chilled meat despite rising prices. Further growth followed, with the market expanding to 282 thousand tons in 2022 and 300 thousand tons in 2023. This upward trend was supported by producers introducing improved protective-atmosphere packaging for chilled poultry and large retail chains investing in their own packing facilities, enhancing logistics and product availability. Sustained demand was also reflected in higher wholesale prices for both chilled and frozen chicken.

Production poultry meat and offal in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

Poultry meat and offal production in Bulgaria has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 218 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 197 thousand tonnes, marking a decrease of 9.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 8.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.8%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 222 thousand tonnes, when production saw its largest increase of 3.6%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K t

Bulgaria's cross-border shipments of poultry meat and offal have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were at 42.6 thousand tonnes, but in 2020 they fell to 32.3 thousand tonnes, a drop of 24.1%. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 26.6%, averaging a 9.8% annual decrease. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 46.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for Bulgaria's poultry meat and offal exports in volume terms were Greece, France, and Romania. Greece accounted for 40.9% of exports, France for 15.2%, and Romania for 12.3%. Together, these three countries made up 68.4% 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

Bulgaria's poultry meat and offal export value has fallen for the second year running. In 2019, exports totaled 147.0 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had dropped sharply to 108.0 million US dollars, a decrease of 26.5%. From 2017 to 2020, export value declined by 40.7%, with an average annual rate of 16.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 193.8 million US dollars, when the largest increase of 6.5% occurred.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Bulgaria's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms were France, Greece, and Belgium. France represented 35.8% of exports, Greece 28.3%, and Belgium 10.0%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 74.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K t

Bulgaria's imports of poultry meat and offal in volume terms saw a significant decline. In 2019, imports were 111.8 thousand tonnes, but in 2020 they fell to 99.5 thousand tonnes, a drop of 11.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The highest import volume was in 2019, which also recorded the largest increase of 1.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for Bulgaria's poultry meat and offal imports in volume terms were Poland, Romania, and Hungary. Poland supplied 38.3% of imports, Romania 16.0%, and Hungary 11.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 66.3% of total import volume.

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

Bulgaria's import value for poultry meat and offal has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports were valued at 126.7 million US dollars, but in 2020 they dropped to 102.6 million US dollars, a loss of 19.0%. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 15.4%, with an average annual decrease of 5.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 127.4 million US dollars, when the largest increase of 5.0% was recorded.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for Bulgaria's poultry meat and offal imports in value terms were Poland, Romania, and Greece. Poland accounted for 40.4% of imports, Romania for 15.6%, and Greece for 10.0%. Together, these three countries made up 66.1% of total import value.

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

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