Bulgaria: Tree Nuts Annual

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. U.S. exports of almonds to Bulgaria in the first nine months of MY 2020/21 were 880 metric tons (MT) ($4.5 million), a 28-percent decline in volume and a 46-percent in value over the corresponding period in MY 2019/20. Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the Bulgarian tree nuts market has shifted to more retail sales and sales of nuts for further processing for the confectionary industry. Retail sales are estimated to grow by 6.6 percent in 2020 over 2019, more than previously expected, to $64 million. The industry forecasts further growth of 5.2 percent in 2021 compared to 2020, to $67 million.