Prepared or preserved beef and offal market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian market for prepared or preserved beef and offal contracted sharply from 963.3 t in 2018 to a low of 447.8 t in 2021, before recovering to 765.4 t by 2023. This decline was driven by a sustained reduction in domestic beef production, which limited the raw material supply for processors. In 2020, a reported decrease in the output of white meat and by-products further constrained available inputs. The market also adjusted to tighter EU quality and safety regulations, which increased compliance costs for producers.

A turnaround began in 2022 following the European Commission's proposal to update EU market standards for agricultural products, including meat, aiming to ensure sustainability and product integrity. Enhanced domestic controls on meat adulteration helped restore consumer confidence. Concurrently, import volumes surged from 505.6 t in 2021 to 966.3 t in 2023, becoming the primary driver of the market's recovery, while exports stabilized after years of growth.

Production prepared or preserved beef and offal in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Bulgaria produced 157.3 t of prepared or preserved beef and offal, representing a 10.2% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 148.2 t, while the highest was in 2019 at 175.2 t. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with an 11.8% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2019 with an 18.2% rise.

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

Exports prepared or preserved beef and offal from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 93.4 t and peaked in 2020 at 184.7 t, marking a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 184.7 t of prepared or preserved beef and offal, reflecting a sharp year-over-year increase of 71.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 14.5% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (28.2% of exports in kind), Greece (19.1%), and Romania (15.5%) consistently held the leading positions in Bulgaria's export structure for prepared or preserved beef and offal. Together, these three markets accounted for 62.9% 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, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest value in 2018 at 352 K $ US and peaked in 2020 at 910 K $ US, showing a 2.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal totaled 910 K $ US, marking a significant year-over-year uptick of 151.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 6.2% decrease.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the three largest markets for Bulgaria's exports in value terms were Greece, the United Kingdom, and Romania. Together, they accounted for 63.2% of total export 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 prepared or preserved beef and offal to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 908.5 t, showing a two-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal reached 537.6 t, down by 30.0% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 99.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Bulgaria's imports in kind of prepared or preserved beef and offal were France (33.5% of imports in kind), Italy (21.3%), and Estonia (20.5%). Together, these three countries accounted for 75.2% 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, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 3 269 K $ US, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.4 times. In 2020, Bulgaria's import volume of prepared or preserved beef and offal amounted to 1 663 K $ US, indicating a reduction of 32.3% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 139.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three principal markets for Bulgaria's imports in value terms were Estonia, France, and Italy. Together, they accounted for 71.7% of total import flows of prepared or preserved beef and offal to Bulgaria.

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

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