Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian market for salt, including table salt and sea water, was valued at 25 572 тыс. долл. США in 2018 before declining over the next two years to 22 594 тыс. долл. США in 2020. This period saw legislative activity, with new sectoral provisions moving through parliament aimed at addressing discontent among smaller market players, which may have influenced the competitive landscape. A sharp rebound followed in 2021, with the market volume rising to 28 258 тыс. долл. США. This increase coincided with amendments to the Labor Code and social insurance legislation, which altered employer obligations and could have affected production costs.

Starting in January 2022, new EU regulations came into force, bringing sea salt and other food-grade salts under the bloc's organic production and labeling rules, which included adaptation periods for processing methods. A specific ordinance setting requirements for the composition and characteristics of food salt was also published. Furthermore, a ban on child participation in advertisements for foods high in salt, sugar, and fats was enacted, likely dampening promotional activity for certain products. These regulatory measures contributed to a market contraction to 26 422 тыс. долл. США in 2022 and a further decline to 25 236 тыс. долл. США in 2023. By 2024, the market stabilized at 25 471 тыс. долл. США, supported by broader investment in food and beverage production and a post-pandemic recovery in economic activity.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's output of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water was valued at 14 662 thousand US dollars, marking a 3.8% increase compared to the previous year. Production grew by 11% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annualized rate of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 434 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 16.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria ranked as the 23rd largest producer of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water globally.

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

The market displayed an unstable trend over the period. Volumes reached their peak in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2018, showing a 13.1-fold difference. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 3 400 thousand tonnes of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, with no significant change from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 260 thousand tonnes, and the maximum in 2019 at 3 400 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 27.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 1 209.7%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. From 2019 to 2020, there was a peak-to-trough amplitude of 12 times. In 2020, Bulgaria's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water were recorded at 0.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 91.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was in 2019 at 7.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase also in 2019, at 599.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Serbia, Greece, and Romania—collectively accounted for 75.9% of Bulgaria's total exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in volume terms.

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 market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2019 and declined to their lowest level in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.7 times. In 2020, Bulgaria exported 575 thousand US dollars worth of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, showing a sharp decline of 63.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 556 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2019, at 103.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (29.0% of exports in value terms), Romania (24.4% of exports in value terms), and Serbia (9.1% of exports in value terms) formed the core of Bulgaria's exports, together accounting for 62.6% of total 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 salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water were recorded at 136.7 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp drop of 56.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 61.8%, averaging an annualized rate of 27.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt remained the primary source for imports in volume terms, accounting for 78.0% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among various smaller markets.

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 salt, pure NaCl, and sea water amounted to 8 507 thousand US dollars, which is 23.3% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 27.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 1.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt (35.0% of imports in value terms), Turkey (12.0% of imports in value terms), and Greece (10.2% of imports in value terms) were the main markets for Bulgaria's imports, together accounting for 57.2% of total flows.

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

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