Sausages and similar meat products market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market volume for sausages and similar meat products in Bulgaria remained relatively stable, fluctuating around 103-104 thousand tons. In 2018, meat production in the country increased by 6.7%, supporting domestic supply. The following year, high grain and feed prices raised costs for pork and poultry, putting pressure on product prices. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and boosted energy and raw material costs, contributing to a 12% rise in market value to 377.7 million US dollars. By 2021, new quality standards for salt and additive content, along with growing consumer demand for traceable and high-quality products, further shaped the market.

After 2021, the market expanded significantly, reaching 112.7 thousand tons by 2024. This growth was supported by the entry of new large-scale production facilities for red meat sausages, which came online in 2023 with modern automation. Simultaneously, major retail chains like Kaufland aggressively expanded their private-label meat product ranges, such as 'Шеф Месар' and 'Брей!', which accounted for over 100 million BGN in sales. These developments increased domestic production capacity and consumer access, driving the market value to 518.7 million US dollars by 2024.

Production sausages and similar meat products in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's output of sausages and similar meat products was valued at 381.8 million US dollars, marking a notable 13.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Sausages and similar meat products production in Bulgaria increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 100.7 thousand tonnes of these products, showing no significant change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Exports sausages and similar meat products from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Sausages and similar meat products exports from Bulgaria grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 8 522 tonnes, representing a 31.4% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 73.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 20.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Bulgaria's exports in kind were Germany, the United Kingdom, and Romania, which together accounted for 51.0% 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

Sausages and similar meat products exports from Bulgaria increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 32 424 thousand US dollars, which is 37.1% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 88.7%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 23.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (22.0% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (20.0% of exports in value terms), and Romania (12.1% of exports in value terms) continued to lead as the top buyers of sausages and similar meat products from Bulgaria, jointly accounting for 54.1% 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 sausages and similar meat products to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Imports of sausages and similar meat products into Bulgaria increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria imported 10 319 tonnes of these products, reflecting a modest gain of 5.2% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 150 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (35.4% of imports in kind), Poland (22.7% of imports in kind), and Italy (14.5% of imports in kind) were the top suppliers of sausages and similar meat products to Bulgaria, with their combined share reaching 72.7% 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

Imports of sausages and similar meat products into Bulgaria grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 28 278 thousand US dollars, representing a 13.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 32.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany (32.8% of imports in value terms), Poland (22.4% of imports in value terms), and Italy (13.6% of imports in value terms) formed the core group of markets for Bulgaria's imports in value terms, together representing 68.8% 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