Walnuts market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Bulgaria's walnut market volume grew from 4 286 t to 5 241 t. The sharp rise in 2020 was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, which disrupted export channels and cut walnut exports by 54%, increasing domestic availability. This period also saw increased planting of new walnut varieties aimed at improving domestic quality and attractiveness.

After 2020, the market volume gradually contracted, reaching 4 730 t by 2023. The market structure became more concentrated, with three leading brands holding a 43.3% share by 2021. In subsequent years, supply conditions were influenced by international factors, including record-low walnut export prices from Ukraine and crop shortages in China, which altered import patterns and price competition within Bulgaria.

Production walnuts in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of walnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of walnuts, 2017-2020

Bulgaria's walnut production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 750 tonnes of walnuts, marking a 1.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 33.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 120 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 44.3% rise.

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

Exports walnuts from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Bulgaria's walnut exports varied significantly, with volumes in 2020 being 7.8 times lower than the peak in 2017. In 2020, the country exported 538 tonnes of walnuts, representing a sharp 66.1% decrease from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Albania, and Greece were the main destinations for Bulgaria's walnut exports in volume terms. Romania accounted for 38.8% of exports, Albania for 22.0%, and Greece for 15.6%. Together, these three countries represented 76.4% of Bulgaria's total walnut 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

Bulgaria's walnut exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 2 205 thousand US dollars, down 48.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 80.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 41.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—Greece, Romania, and Albania—collectively absorbed 69.8% of Bulgaria's total walnut 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 walnuts to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed volatility during the observed period. Volumes fluctuated by 1.8 times between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, Bulgaria imported 1 029 tonnes of walnuts, representing a solid 14.3% decrease from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 665 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 201 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 80.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, the United States, and Chile were the leading sources of walnut imports to Bulgaria in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 55.7% of imports, the United States for 14.8%, and Chile for 8.5%. Together, these three countries supplied 78.9% of Bulgaria's total walnut 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

After two years of growth, Bulgaria's walnut imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 618 thousand US dollars, a 3.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 74.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.4%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 3 729 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 51.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine, the United States, and Chile consistently held leading positions in Bulgaria's walnut import structure by value. Ukraine accounted for 61.4% of import value, the United States for 10.2%, and Chile for 7.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.1% of Bulgaria's total walnut 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