Printing inks market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian printing inks market underwent a significant transformation between 2018 and 2024, driven by technological shifts and new product introductions. The market's integration into international research and the arrival of competitively priced products like Wilflex plastisol inks stimulated competition and diversification. This period saw a fundamental transition from analog offset to digital printing technologies, which created demand for new types of inks and altered production requirements, supporting a consistent rise in domestic output from 400 t in 2020 to 1 459 t in 2024.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 sharply reduced demand for traditional print applications but simultaneously accelerated growth in the label and packaging sector, reshaping consumption patterns. This shift was compounded by widespread supply chain disruptions in 2021, which affected ink availability and pricing. Printers demonstrated flexibility by moving into new areas like labels and packaging, which stimulated demand for specialized inks and helped the market value reach 19.6 million USD in 2021 before adjusting.

In the following years, specific demand drivers continued to shape the market. There was growing demand for inks for digital textile printing, which captured a notable share of the textile print market and fueled product innovation. Increased consumer willingness to pay for suitable packaging influenced ink requirements for that segment, while interest expanded towards inks with extended color gamuts and special effects. The market stabilized post-pandemic with a focus on ecological and specialized inks, even as overall market volume saw some fluctuation.

Production printing inks in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports printing inks from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of printing inks have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country shipped 377 tonnes abroad, marking a modest 4.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 49.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia were the top buyers of Bulgarian printing inks in volume terms. North Macedonia accounted for 31.6% of exports, Albania for 26.1%, and Serbia for 18.3%. Together, these three countries made up 76.0% of Bulgaria's total printing ink exports by volume.

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 printing ink exports in value terms have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported printing inks worth 2 340 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 20.3% gain over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 22.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 432 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 25.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 35.9%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia were the three largest markets for Bulgarian printing inks in value terms. Together, they accounted for 53.9% 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 printing inks to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria imported 2 933 tonnes of printing inks in 2020, which is 2.5% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 7%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 2 528 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 19.8%. In 2019, imports rebounded with the largest increase of 19.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Greece, and Turkey were the key sources for Bulgaria's printing ink imports in volume terms. Germany supplied 31.9% of imports, Greece 22.0%, and Turkey 16.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 70.0% of total import flows by 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, K $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's printing ink imports in value terms reached 17 655 thousand US dollars, representing a robust contraction of 19.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 14 998 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 21 991 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 46.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Italy were the principal sources for Bulgaria's printing ink imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 26.7% of imports, France for 13.8%, and Italy for 12.2%. Together, these three countries made up 52.7% of total import flows.

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

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