Skim milk market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

After 2018, the skim milk market in Bulgaria contracted in 2019 to $2.1 million, accompanied by declines in both domestic production and imports. However, in 2020, market volume jumped 57% to $3.4 million, primarily driven by a more than fourfold surge in imports—from $511 thousand to $2.4 million—which offset the ongoing contraction in local production.

By 2022, the market size had fallen to $2.7 million, down 21% from 2020. This decline occurred alongside a drop in imports to $1.8 million and a further decrease in domestic production, which fell to $873 thousand.

The market later recovered, reaching $3 million in 2024. This growth was supported by a 22.8% increase in milk and dairy product imports in 2023, fueled by high supply and falling prices on the European market, which boosted deliveries to processors. In 2024, production of packaged drinking milk rose by 6.5%, while total milk processing volume edged down 2.6%. During this period, a regulation specifying requirements for dairy products—aligning with EU law on fat content and technological processing—came into effect, setting standards for skim milk.

Production skim milk in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's skim milk production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 347 thousand US dollars, down 26.8% from 2019. Production decreased by 19.1% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decline of 6.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 962 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Bulgaria's skim milk production volume fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 863 tonnes, a decrease of 32.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 25.3%, averaging an annual decline of 9.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 870 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 15.1%.

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

Exports skim milk from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's skim milk export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 273 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 11.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 64.1%, averaging an annual decline of 28.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Romania consistently accounted for 91.1% of Bulgaria's total skim milk exports by volume, indicating a highly concentrated market with a long tail of smaller buyers.

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 an unstable trend during this period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2019 at 214 thousand US dollars, then climbed to their peak in 2017, representing a 2.7-fold difference. In 2020, Bulgaria's skim milk exports were valued at 402 thousand US dollars, up 87.9% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 48.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece and Romania were the dominant buyers of Bulgarian skim milk by value, together accounting for 90.9% of total exports, with other partners playing a minor role.

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

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

Imports skim milk to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's skim milk import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 3 376 tonnes, a substantial rise of 117.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 199.3%, averaging an annual increase of 44.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania (34.4% of import volume), Poland (27.7%), and Germany (18.4%) were the main sources of skim milk imports to Bulgaria, together representing 80.6% of total volume.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import values hit their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2020, with a 6-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's skim milk imports were valued at 2 412 thousand US dollars, a dramatic rise of 371.5% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 42.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Poland (33.6% of import value), Germany (27.7%), and Romania (18.1%) formed the key group of partners for Bulgaria's skim milk imports by value, jointly accounting for 79.5% 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