Treenuts market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The treenuts market in Bulgaria expanded from 9 808 t in 2018 to 14 628 t in 2023, driven primarily by rising consumer demand for healthy snacks and a structural reliance on imports due to insufficient domestic production. The market's growth was initially supported by the trend toward healthier eating, which boosted nut consumption, while the fragmented and small-scale local nut farming sector could not meet demand, creating a persistent supply gap.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021 disrupted traditional sales channels but reinforced retail and processing demand, particularly in the confectionery industry, helping sustain market volume growth. During this period, market concentration intensified as the three leading companies—Detelina, Victoria Nuts, and Elite—increased their combined share to 43.3%, streamlining distribution and import operations.

Growth continued through 2022 and 2023, fueled by rising imports that compensated for declining domestic output. By 2024, a new segment of nut-based imitation products emerged, with 8 020 t sold domestically, reflecting ongoing innovation and diversification in response to consumer preferences.

Production treenuts in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

Bulgaria produced 6 070 tonnes of treenuts in 2020, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 800 tonnes. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 11.9%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 16.3% rise.

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

Exports treenuts from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's treenuts exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 842 tonnes, representing a 10.8% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 67.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -31.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Greece, and Albania were the leading destinations for Bulgaria's treenuts exports in volume terms. Romania accounted for 29.9% of exports, Greece for 17.9%, and Albania for 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented 62.0% of Bulgaria's total treenuts 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

After two years of decline, Bulgaria's treenuts exports in value terms rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 7 548 thousand US dollars, showing a strong increase of 19.2% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 52.9%, with a CAGR of -22.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 330 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 40.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, Romania, and Italy formed the core markets for Bulgaria's treenuts exports in value terms. Greece accounted for 31.6% of export value, Romania for 15.0%, and Italy for 11.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 57.8% of Bulgaria's total export flows in 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 treenuts to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's treenuts imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 6 421 tonnes, up by 9.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 24.7%, with a CAGR of 7.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner landscape for Bulgaria's treenuts imports in volume terms was diverse. The United States, Greece, and Vietnam were the top suppliers, accounting for 23.3%, 15.1%, and 9.9% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 48.3% of total import flows, with the remaining 51.7% coming from a wide range of other countries.

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

Bulgaria imported treenuts worth 34 845 thousand US dollars in 2020, which was a 15.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 28.5%, with a CAGR of 8.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.1%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with an 18.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Greece, and Vietnam were the main suppliers of treenuts to Bulgaria in value terms. The United States accounted for 28.0% of import value, Greece for 14.1%, and Vietnam for 13.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 56.0% of Bulgaria's total treenuts imports in value.

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

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