Semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

In the early years of the period, Bulgaria's domestic market for bleached kraft pulp was shaped by the production capacity of the leading manufacturer, Svilosa AD, which had undergone a major upgrade in 2007 to reach 110 000 t/year. This legacy capacity supported production volumes near 200 thousand tonnes in 2018 and 2019, while domestic consumption measured 95 thousand tonnes in 2018 and dipped slightly to 92 thousand tonnes in 2019.

The market experienced a sharp swing in 2020-2021. Consumption jumped to 118 thousand tonnes in 2020, driven by a steep drop in exports. The following year, it fell back to 86 thousand tonnes after the country's largest pulp plant halted operations due to a wood shortage and speculative price hikes, coupled with an explosion at the Svishov facility, which disrupted supply and led to a contraction in imports.

After the 2021 shock, the market stabilized at 85 thousand tonnes in 2022 before recovering to 102 thousand tonnes in 2023, indicating a gradual return to pre-disruption levels.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria ranked 29th globally in production volume for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, placing it among the world's leading producers during this period.

Top producers of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 172.6 K t, marking a significant drop of 12.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 199.7 K t, with the largest increase that year of 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of Bulgaria's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, also fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production was valued at 84.2 M $ US, showing a reduction of 24.7% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, the value decreased by 25.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 148.8 M $ US, with the largest increase that year of 31.6%, while the steepest decline was in 2019 at 24.9%.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Bulgaria's export volume of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined. In 2020, exports totaled 65.8 K t, down by 41.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 38.8%, with an annualized decline of 15.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 112.7 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Romania, and Serbia were the top buyers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Bulgaria. Turkey accounted for 32.0% of exports in kind, Romania for 19.3%, and Serbia for 10.4%, together making up 61.6% 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

Bulgaria's export value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 32 089 K $ US, representing a sharp drop of 50.0% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 48.9%, with an annualized rate of 20.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 83 300 K $ US, with the largest increase that year of 32.7%.

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

In value terms, from 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Romania, and Serbia formed the main cluster of markets for Bulgaria's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades. Turkey held 31.9% of exports in value, Romania 19.0%, and Serbia 9.4%, collectively accounting for 60.3% 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 bleached kraft or soda pulp to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K t

Bulgaria's import volume of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 11.0 K t, equivalent to a sharp advance of 33.0% from the previous year. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 7.5 K t, with the largest decline that year of 39.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Italy, and the United States remained the principal suppliers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Bulgaria. Greece accounted for 49.2% of imports in kind, Italy for 20.3%, and the United States for 11.1%, jointly making up 80.6% 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

After two years of decline, Bulgaria's import value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased. In 2020, imports came to 6 291 K $ US, which is 18.3% higher year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 319 K $ US, with the largest decline that year of 19.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Greece, Italy, and the United States—remained central to Bulgaria's imports in value terms, together accounting for 82.7% 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