Prepared or preserved groundnuts market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian prepared or preserved groundnuts market expanded significantly in value from 24.5 million USD in 2018 to 36.4 million USD in 2019. This surge was driven by rising consumer demand, supported by improving economic conditions such as lower unemployment and higher disposable incomes. Additionally, a Europe-wide trend towards healthier eating and active lifestyles further boosted consumption of nuts, including peanuts, in Bulgaria.

Market value then contracted over the next two years, falling to 32.8 million USD in 2020 and 26.4 million USD in 2021. Despite reports of increased sales volumes by Bulgarian producers in 2020, overall production declined, leading to the smaller market size. The period also saw Bulgarian brands strengthening their position in the canned food segment, though this did not reverse the downward trend in total market value.

In the following years, the sector faced evolving challenges and opportunities. Climate patterns began shifting peanut cultivation northwards within the country, while a persistent shortage of agricultural labor and high land prices pressured production costs. Concurrently, consumer interest in nuts as healthy ingredients, partly fueled by home cooking trends, continued to support demand, as evidenced by new product offerings and trading activity in the market.

Production prepared or preserved groundnuts in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's production of prepared or preserved groundnuts was valued at 31 760 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 12.0% decline from 2019. The minimum value during the 2017-2020 period occurred in 2018 at 26 329 thousand US dollars, while the peak was reached in 2019 at 36 085 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 37.1%. Overall, production grew by 9.1% over these four years, averaging a 2.9% annual growth rate.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria ranked 14th globally in the production of prepared or preserved groundnuts.

Top producers of prepared or preserved groundnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved groundnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Bulgaria produced 10 871 tonnes of prepared or preserved groundnuts, a substantial 17.1% drop from the previous year. The lowest output in the 2017-2020 span was in 2018 at 8 133 tonnes, with the highest in 2019 at 13 113 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual surge of 61.2%. Over the entire period, production rose by 11.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved groundnuts from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of prepared or preserved groundnuts fell for the third year in a row in 2020, reaching 2 314 tonnes, a 7.4% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 57.7%, with an average annual decline of 24.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Ukraine, and Russia were the top buyers of Bulgaria's prepared or preserved groundnuts in volume terms. Romania accounted for 40.4% of exports, Ukraine for 12.7%, and Russia for 6.7%, together making up 59.8% of total export volumes.

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

Bulgaria's prepared or preserved groundnuts exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 6 386 thousand US dollars, an 8.5% reduction from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 57.2%, averaging a 24.7% annual decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Ukraine, and Iraq were the leading buyers of Bulgaria's prepared or preserved groundnuts in value terms. Romania held a 38.2% share of exports, Ukraine 9.8%, and Iraq 8.9%, collectively representing 56.9% 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 prepared or preserved groundnuts to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria imported 3 089 tonnes of prepared or preserved groundnuts, a 4.6% increase from 2019. The highest import volume in the 2017-2020 period was in 2018 at 3 310 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual rise of 35.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 10.8%. Overall, imports grew by 26.7% over these four years, with an average annual rate of 8.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Bulgaria's imports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in volume terms. Poland contributed 63.7% of imports, the United Kingdom 11.4%, and the Netherlands 9.1%, together accounting for 84.1% of total import volumes.

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's imports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in 2020 amounted to 7 412 thousand US dollars, a modest 2.1% increase from 2019. The peak value in the 2017-2020 period was in 2018 at 7 714 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest annual growth of 27.1%. The most notable drop was in 2019 at 5.9%. Over the four years, imports rose by 22.1%, averaging a 6.9% annual increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the key suppliers in the value-based import structure of prepared or preserved groundnuts to Bulgaria. Poland represented 59.7% of imports, the United Kingdom 11.3%, and the Netherlands 9.1%, with a combined share of 80.1% 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