Browse Data and Analysis

Bulgarian farmers planted higher area under rapeseed in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 due to attractive and consistently increasing prices.

The prospects for MY2022/23 winter grain crops remain favorable due to the relatively mild winter, sufficient soil moisture reserves, and snow cover. Higher input costs, however, may have a negative impact on the average yields due to expected lower application of inputs.

The Bulgarian organic market continued to grow in 2021 with an estimated annual growth of 2.5 percent to $39 million. The main driver behind the growth was the stronger consumer focus on a healthier lifestyle and increased popularity for organic products perceived as healthful, which led to higher retail sales.

Bulgaria acceded to the European Union (EU) in 2007 and follows EU directives and regulations pertaining to food safety, quality, and standards. This report outlines applicable legislation regarding U.S. food-product exports to Bulgaria, particularly those rules which differ from EU legislation.

Report Highlights: As a European Union (EU) Member State, Bulgaria applies EU regulatory requirements for all animal- and plant-origin food and agricultural imports. Bulgarian regulatory authorities may be consulted, on a case-by-case basis, regarding import requirements for some categories of non-harmonized products.

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.