Uncooked pasta market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

The uncooked pasta market in Bulgaria expanded from 15 835 tons in 2018 to 18 882 tons in 2020. This growth was supported by the entry of new brands catering to rising consumer preferences for quality and healthy options, as well as broader industrial investments in new production facilities and automation noted in 2019. While the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a freeze in corporate investment plans, consumer demand for pasta remained robust.

By 2022, the physical market volume had eased slightly to 18 460 tons, yet its value rose significantly to 22.2 million USD. This shift coincided with the introduction of new EU packaging rules under the Single-Use Plastics Directive from July 2022, which affected packaging requirements for food products, and a broader slowdown in manufacturing investment across the country.

Market development continued to be shaped by evolving consumer trends, including growing interest in vegan and fresh pasta varieties with Italian recipes, as new specialty brands entered. Anticipated ESG regulations at the EU level were also set to influence production and packaging practices in the industry.

Production uncooked pasta in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Bulgaria, the output value of uncooked pasta reached 8 638 K $ US in 2020, marking a 31.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production grew by 26.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 549 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 4.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

In 2020, Bulgaria produced 11 109 tons of uncooked pasta, representing a 23.3% gain compared to 2019. From 2018 to 2020, production increased by 28%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6%. The minimum production level was in 2017 at 8 676 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.2%.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Bulgaria exported 1 453 tons of uncooked pasta in 2020, reflecting a sharp increase of 136.8% from the previous year. The minimum export volume was in 2018 at 264 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 41.3%. There was a 5.5-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, the Philippines, and Belarus were the top contributors to Bulgaria's exports in kind, accounting for 40.3%, 8.4%, and 6.2% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 55.0% 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

The market exhibited volatility during these years. In 2020, Bulgaria's foreign supplies of uncooked pasta reached 1 088 K $ US, up by 136.0% from the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 263 K $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 45.1%. Exports peaked in 2020 and fell to their lowest point in 2018, with a 4.1-fold gap between these years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria's exports of uncooked pasta in value terms were distributed across many countries. Romania, Belarus, and Greece were the leading markets, contributing 23.4%, 9.8%, and 8.8% of exports, respectively. However, together they accounted for only 42.0% of total 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 uncooked pasta to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

Bulgaria's volume of uncooked pasta imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 9 226 tons, reflecting a significant rise of 20.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The minimum import volume was in 2018 at 6 797 tons, which saw the largest decline of 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Italy were the two leading markets for Bulgaria's imports in kind, together accounting for 81.0% of total imports. The remaining volume was spread across 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's imported uncooked pasta volumes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 9 978 K $ US, corresponding to a gain of 27.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 34%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.3%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Greece and Italy were the dominant markets for Bulgaria's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 82.8% of total imports. The rest was dispersed across a variety of other countries.

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

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