Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Bulgaria fluctuated between 2018 and 2024, starting at 292.9 thousand tonnes and ending at 272.1 thousand tonnes. After a decline from 2018 to 2020, the market saw a temporary recovery in 2021, followed by a slight contraction in 2022, a rebound in 2023, and a final decrease in 2024.

In value terms, the market displayed a strong upward trend, rising from $21.8 million in 2018 to a peak of $40.3 million in 2023, before settling at $35.8 million in 2024. This significant increase in market value contrasted with the relatively stable volume, indicating higher prices or a shift in product mix during the period.

Production quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's production of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 21 824 thousand US dollars, down 4.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.1%, averaging an annual increase of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 23 293 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Production of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime in Bulgaria fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output totaled 290.9 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 3.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 314.0 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 4.6%, while 2019 experienced the steepest drop of 4.5%.

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

Exports quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime declined. In 2020, exports stood at 24 364 tonnes, a sharp decrease of 10.9% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 44.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 334 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 47.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Bulgaria's quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime were North Macedonia, Greece, and Romania. North Macedonia accounted for 46.7% of exports in kind, Greece for 31.3%, and Romania for 17.8%. Together, these three countries represented 95.8% of total exports in kind.

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

Following a two-year upward trend, Bulgaria's exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 965 thousand US dollars, down 2.4% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 71.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.7%. The peak value was in 2019 at 2 013 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 64.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia and Greece were the dominant partners in Bulgaria's export structure in value terms, while other countries made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Imports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime into Bulgaria declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 955 tonnes, a significant drop of 32.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.1%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 3 828 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 54.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top suppliers of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime to Bulgaria were Romania, Turkey, and Greece. Romania accounted for 57.6% of imports in kind, Turkey for 21.3%, and Greece for 8.3%. Combined, these three countries represented 87.3% of total imports in kind.

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 imports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime amounted to 266 thousand US dollars, up 10.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 24.5%, averaging an annual increase of 7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 351 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 64.2%, while 2019 experienced the steepest decline of 31.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Turkey, and Croatia led Bulgaria's import structure in value terms. Romania accounted for 55.9% of imports in value, Turkey for 14.6%, and Croatia for 10.1%. Together, these three countries made up 80.6% 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