Bulgaria: Apple Market 2025

Apple Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian apple market rose to $X in 2021, surging by 4.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Apple consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Apple Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, apple production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed tangible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 325%. Apple production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of apples in Bulgaria expanded remarkably to X tons per ha in 2021, picking up by 9.5% on the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, apple yield increased by +10.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 71%. Over the period under review, the average apple yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the apple harvested area in Bulgaria stood at X ha, increasing by 6.2% on the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The apple harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Apple Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2021, the amount of apples exported from Bulgaria shrank notably to X tons, with a decrease of -83.1% compared with 2020. Overall, exports saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 153%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, apple exports reduced notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 83% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Greece (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) were the main destinations of apple exports from Bulgaria, together comprising 88% of total exports. These countries were followed by Poland and Luxembourg, which together accounted for a further 10%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Luxembourg (with a CAGR of 0.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for apple exported from Bulgaria were Romania ($X), Greece ($X) and Belarus ($X), together accounting for 88% of total exports. These countries were followed by Luxembourg and Poland, which together accounted for a further 9.5%.

Among the main countries of destination, Luxembourg, with a CAGR of 0.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average apple export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 47% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 152% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Poland (+31.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Apple Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2021, approx. X tons of apples were imported into Bulgaria; waning by -3.4% against the year before. Overall, imports, however, posted a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 87% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, apple imports contracted to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +49.5% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 27%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

North Macedonia (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Greece (X tons) were the main suppliers of apple imports to Bulgaria, with a combined 86% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Italy, Albania and Austria, which together accounted for a further 10%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Austria (with a CAGR of +26.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest apple suppliers to Bulgaria were Poland ($X), North Macedonia ($X) and Italy ($X), together comprising 69% of total imports. Greece, Austria and Albania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

Among the main suppliers, Austria, with a CAGR of +21.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average apple import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -3.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 64%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Albania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+2.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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