Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The Bulgarian market for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork expanded from $57.2 million in 2018 to $71.5 million in 2020. A shortage of pork on the domestic market in 2018 contributed to this growth, creating conditions that supported increased production and imports.

Market growth continued, reaching $77.4 million in 2022 with production at $73.0 million. During this period, export volumes fell sharply from $2.5 million in 2019 to $0.5 million in 2022.

The war in Ukraine raised production costs for pig farmers in 2022-2023, leading to a reported 4.2% drop in national pork output and a reduction in herd numbers in 2023. This pressure increased reliance on imports, which rose to $6.4 million in 2023 while exports fell to $0.3 million. Early 2024 saw a 2.3% recovery in pork production and sustained high import levels, notably from Spain and the Netherlands.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 68 802 thousand US dollars, showing a significant year-on-year increase of 19.0%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 34.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria ranked 26th globally in the production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork.

Top producers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 15 831 tonnes, marking a 9.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 12 350 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 6.0%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 17.2%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork amounted to 665 tonnes, down by 1.2% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 673 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, surging by 115.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Bulgaria's exports in kind were Romania, accounting for 49.0% of exports, Hungary with 17.8%, and North Macedonia at 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented 77.1% 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 market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values hit their lowest in 2017 and reached a peak in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork were valued at 2 410 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 3.5% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 498 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 104.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the key markets for Bulgaria's exports in value terms were Romania, with a 43.3% share, Hungary at 14.9%, and the United Kingdom accounting for 10.3%. Combined, these three destinations made up 68.4% 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 salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1 423 tonnes, representing a sharp drop of 25.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 23%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 906 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred that same year, rising by 39.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for Bulgaria's imports in kind were Germany, with a 37.1% share, Italy at 22.8%, and Spain accounting for 19.0%. Together, these three partners represented 78.9% 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

Following two years of increase, Bulgaria's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork fell. In 2020, imports stood at 5 113 thousand US dollars, down by 10.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 30.3%, with an average annual rate of 9.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 683 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 29.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Italy, and Spain were the main sources for Bulgaria's imports in value terms, with shares of 35.3%, 26.3%, and 17.7%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 79.3% of total imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork into Bulgaria.

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

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