Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume for wheat bran, sharps and residues in Bulgaria stood at 84.2 thousand tons. It fell to 70.8 thousand tons in 2019, then saw a modest recovery to 72.4 thousand tons in 2020.

Growth resumed in 2021 as the market volume expanded to 82.1 thousand tons. This increase was supported by a record wheat harvest exceeding 7 million tons in the country, which boosted the supply of milling residues, alongside a shift in consumer preferences towards healthier options like whole-grain and organic products. The upward trend continued in 2022, with the market reaching 88.2 thousand tons, partly driven by the introduction of a reduced 9% VAT rate on bread and flour from July, which stimulated consumption.

The market stabilized at 89.0 thousand tons in 2023. By 2024, however, the volume declined to 82.6 thousand tons, influenced by rising energy and labor costs that pressured production, as well as strong international demand for wheat bran that diverted more output toward export markets.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of decline, Bulgaria's production of wheat bran, sharps, and residues has increased. In 2020, output reached 24,278 thousand US dollars, marking a solid year-on-year growth of 13.2%. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21,451 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop occurring that same year at 12.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Bulgaria's production of wheat bran, sharps, and residues has risen. In 2020, the country produced 166.6 thousand tonnes, showing a modest gain of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The minimum output was in 2019 at 163.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

Exports wheat bran, sharps and residues from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

Bulgaria's exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 94,271 tonnes, reflecting a slight gain of 2.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 85,718 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 2.6%. In contrast, the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the primary buyer of wheat bran, sharps, and residues from Bulgaria, accounting for 71.3% of total exports in volume. The remaining share was distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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 exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 14,768 thousand US dollars, reflecting a rise of 10.6% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 20.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and Greece were the key destinations for Bulgaria's exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 94.3% of total flows. Other partners contributed much smaller shares individually.

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

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

Imports wheat bran, sharps and residues to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2018 at 1,380 tonnes and dropped to a low of 67 tonnes in 2020, representing a 21-fold difference. In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues stood at 67 tonnes, marking a decline of 13.5% from the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 94.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1,172.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania was the dominant supplier of wheat bran, sharps, and residues to Bulgaria, accounting for 80.5% of total imports in volume. Other countries shared the remainder.

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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. Imports reached their peak in 2018 at 237 thousand US dollars and hit a trough in 2020 at 55 thousand US dollars, with a 4.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, import value was 55 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable decline of 14.9% from 2019. The largest drop was in 2019 at 72.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 253.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the import structure in value terms was primarily shaped by Poland and Romania, which together accounted for 85.5% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail with smaller contributions.

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

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