Vinegar market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Bulgaria's vinegar market volume first increased from 11.3 million liters to 12.4 million liters, then eased to 12.0 million liters. This movement was supported by the country's leading producer, Vinprom AD, which maintained its 2,000-ton annual capacity and developed new products, while consumers consistently showed a preference for natural wine vinegar.

After a data gap in 2021, the market surged to 16.7 million liters in 2022, coinciding with heightened consumer interest in natural and home-made food products. The market stabilized at 16.9 million liters in 2023, with its value growing faster than volume as buyers sought higher-quality options. A sharp decline to 11.6 million liters followed in 2024, a period when authorities began discussing legislative changes to more clearly define wine vinegar and its composition.

Production vinegar in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's vinegar production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 951 thousand US dollars, representing a 16.6% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

In 2020, Bulgaria produced 11 799 thousand liters of vinegar, marking a slight reduction of 3.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 934 thousand liters. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 15.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with growth of 11.4%.

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

Exports vinegar from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, K l

Vinegar exports from Bulgaria have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 413.1 thousand liters, up by 14.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 237.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 50.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Bulgaria's vinegar exports in volume terms were Romania, accounting for 53.5% of exports, Germany with 10.7%, and Sweden at 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 73.3% 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

In 2020, Bulgaria exported vinegar worth 257.4 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate decline of 4.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 32.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 12.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 235.4 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 38.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with growth of 14.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Romania, and Belarus were the key partners for Bulgaria's vinegar exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 39.4% of exports, Romania for 31.1%, and Belarus for 5.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 76.1% 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 vinegar to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, K l

Vinegar imports into Bulgaria have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 585.4 thousand liters, rising by 5.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 495.0 thousand liters. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a decrease of 5.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with growth of 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy, Greece, and Germany were the leading sources of vinegar imports into Bulgaria in volume terms. Italy accounted for 33.6% of imports, Greece for 25.8%, and Germany for 16.7%. Together, these three countries represented 76.1% of total import flows.

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

In 2020, Bulgaria imported vinegar valued at approximately 881.5 thousand US dollars, down by 2.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with growth of 0.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Greece continued to be the main suppliers of vinegar to Bulgaria in value terms. Italy accounted for 47.6% of imports, Germany for 17.2%, and Greece for 15.5%. Collectively, these three countries formed 80.3% 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