Tarpaulins, awnings and sunblinds market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for tarpaulins, awnings and sunblinds in Bulgaria showed initial growth, with market volume increasing from 422 t to 432 t in 2019. This was supported by a rise in domestic production from 147 t to 157 t and growing imports, which reached 340 t in 2019. However, in 2020 the market contracted to 376 t, with production falling to 114 t and imports declining to 318 t.

Following 2020, import volumes surged to 600 t in 2021 before beginning a downward trend to 425 t in 2022 and 355 t in 2023. This period of adjustment coincided with the emergence of significant economic factors from 2023 onward, including high inflation and rising energy costs, which increased material prices and affected consumer purchasing power. Concurrently, consumer preferences began shifting towards energy-efficient products, such as external sunblinds with improved insulating properties, influencing market demand.

Export activity also varied considerably, peaking at 133 t in 2021 before declining to 60 t in 2023 and 57 t in 2024. The overall trade dynamics from 2021 through 2024 reflect the broader economic environment, where inflationary pressures and changing consumer tastes played a role in shaping the market.

Production tarpaulins, awnings and sunblinds in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's production of tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 1,479 thousand US dollars, down 1.2% from 2019. Production peaked in 2019 at 1,498 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 21.2%, averaging 6.6% annually, with the largest annual increase of 21.7% occurring in 2018.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's production of tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds declined. In 2020, output was 113.6 tonnes, a 27.7% decrease from 2019. Production reached its highest level in 2019 at 157.1 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 27.1% recorded in 2018.

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

Exports tarpaulins, awnings and sunblinds from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Exports of tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds from Bulgaria showed significant volatility. In 2020, exports totaled 55.4 tonnes, a sharp decline of 15.7% year-over-year. The lowest export volume was 20.5 tonnes in 2018, while the highest was 65.7 tonnes in 2019, representing a 3.2-fold difference. Exports fell by 50.2% in 2018 but surged by 220.1% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Bulgarian tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds in volume terms were Romania (22.1% of exports), North Macedonia (14.4%), and Greece (14.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 50.8% of total exports.

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

Export values for tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds from Bulgaria were volatile during the period. In 2020, exports amounted to 531 thousand US dollars, down 25.3% from 2019. The lowest value was 279 thousand US dollars in 2018, while the highest was 710 thousand US dollars in 2019, a 2.5-fold difference. Exports increased by 154.4% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary markets for Bulgarian exports of tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds in value terms were Greece (21.0% of exports), Estonia (18.1%), and Romania (16.3%). These three countries together represented 55.4% 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 tarpaulins, awnings and sunblinds to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria imported 317.5 tonnes of tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds in 2020, a modest decrease of 6.7% from the previous year. Imports were lowest in 2018 at 295.4 tonnes and highest in 2019 at 340.2 tonnes. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 4.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The largest annual increase of 15.2% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of imports for tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds to Bulgaria in volume terms were China (60.8% of imports), Germany (12.9%), and Turkey (11.1%). These three countries accounted for 84.8% of total import 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

Imports of tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds into Bulgaria increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1,494 thousand US dollars, up 3.5% from the prior year. The lowest import value was 1,314 thousand US dollars in 2018, which saw a decline of 2.6%. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The largest annual increase of 9.9% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources of imports for tarpaulins, awnings, and sunblinds to Bulgaria in value terms were China (43.4% of imports), Turkey (16.9%), and Germany (15.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 75.5% of total import value.

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

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