Browse Data and Analysis

Bulgaria is a small but growing market for U.S. food and agricultural products. In 2020, total Bulgarian food and agricultural imports were valued at $5.2 billion, of which nearly 1.43 percent, or $73.8 million, were sourced from the United States.

With its developing grocery retail industry, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic Bulgaria was a growing market for food and beverages, with growing consumer confidence, declining unemployment, upward incomes, and a stable number of foreign tourists...

Post forecasts that Bulgaria’s stone fruit crop in marketing year (MY) 2021 will be marginally down from MY 2020. Cherry production is forecast lower, mainly due to decreased average yields. Peach production is expected to recover from the record low...

In marketing year (MY) 2020/21, Bulgaria’s total fresh deciduous fruit crop declined sharply by 15 percent due to adverse climate conditions. Apple production decreased by 13 percent from MY 2019/20, as unfavorable weather conditions reduced area...

The steady growth of the tree nuts market in Bulgaria was interrupted in marketing year (MY) 2020/21 due to the pandemic and related economic challenges, such as the weaker tourist season and the closure of food service industry outlets during several lockdowns.

The Government of Bulgaria (GOB) continues to oppose agricultural biotechnology and supports anti-biotech policy initiatives within the European Commission (EC).

FAS Sofia adjusts upwards Bulgarian rapeseed production in marketing (MY) 2021/22 to 376,000 metric tons (MT), 35 percent higher than in the previous season, as per the final harvest results.

The Bulgarian dairy industry developed successfully and made good progress in 2020. The total dairy herd increased by six percent, cow milk production grew by more than seven percent, and milk collection and processing also expanded.

FAS Sofia increases its estimate for wheat and barley crops to 7.2 million metric tons (MMT) and 700,000 MT, respectively, due to favorable spring weather leading to record yields.

In 2020 and 2021, Bulgaria made significant progress in the recovery of the national swine herd after African swine fever (ASF) hit the country in 2019.

Bulgarian rapeseed production is forecast to rebound in MY 2021/22. As of mid-July, the rapeseed harvest was 46 percent complete with reported yields exceeding earlier estimates and production projected to reach up to 360,000 MT.

Bulgaria’s poultry sector had a challenging year in MY 2020, with its continuous growth interrupted for the first time in ten years.