Wadding articles market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Bulgaria's production of wadding articles reached 7 308 t in 2018, supported by increased investment and demand in the textile wadding industry which led to a reported 12-13% growth from the prior year. Output continued to climb, peaking at 9 537 t in 2020 before a slight contraction to 9 158 t in 2021. The domestic market volume, calculated as production plus imports minus exports, expanded significantly from 801 t in 2018 to 1 581 t in 2021, with a particularly sharp rise to 1 546 t in 2020.

Import volumes fluctuated, starting at 1 826 t in 2018, dipping the following year, then entering a sustained upward trend to a high of 3 540 t in 2023 before falling to 3 248 t in 2024. Exports grew from 8 333 t in 2018 to a peak of 11 750 t in 2022, then contracted over the next two years, finishing at 10 563 t in 2024. The decline in both import and export volumes in 2024 aligned with periods of global raw material volatility and supply chain disruptions, which constrained international trade flows.

Production wadding articles in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of decline, Bulgaria's wadding articles production rebounded in value terms. In 2020, output reached 64 838 thousand US dollars, marking a 27.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 50 887 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 18.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Bulgaria's wadding articles production volume grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 9 537 tons, representing a 22.7% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 308 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.3%.

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

Exports wadding articles from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of wadding articles increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume totaled 10 335 tons, showing a significant 19.5% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 19.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 333 tons, which saw the largest decline of 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria's export structure in volume terms was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 18.6% of exports, France for 11.3%, and Romania for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 36.9% of total flows, while the remaining 63.1% was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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 wadding articles worth 62 317 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 21.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Lithuania, and France were the largest but not dominant buyers of Bulgarian wadding articles in value terms. Germany accounted for 15.1% of exports, Lithuania for 9.2%, and France for 7.9%. Together, these three markets represented 32.2% of total export value, with the remainder distributed among a broad range of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports wadding articles to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria imported approximately 2 344 tons of wadding articles, a 39.2% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 92.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 24.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 50.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Hungary, and Greece consistently led Bulgaria's import structure in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 54.8% of imports, Hungary for 6.8%, and Greece for 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented 66.8% 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

Bulgaria's import market for wadding articles showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 11 870 thousand US dollars, a 35.2% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 19.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 75.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Turkey, Lithuania, and Hungary—together accounted for 59.4% of Bulgaria's total import value for wadding articles.

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

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