Bulgaria: Magnetic Card Market 2025

Magnetic Card Market Size in Bulgaria

In 2021, the Bulgarian magnetic card market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a perceptible setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Magnetic Card Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, magnetic card production shrank modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 43%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Magnetic Card Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

For the third year in a row, Bulgaria recorded decline in shipments abroad of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, which decreased by -7.1% to X units in 2021. In general, exports recorded a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 110%. The exports peaked at X units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, magnetic card exports shrank modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 702%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X units), Finland (X units) and the Netherlands (X units) were the main destinations of magnetic card exports from Bulgaria, with a combined 73% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Hungary, Germany, Sweden and the UK, which together accounted for a further 21%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Hungary (with a CAGR of +74.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), Finland ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest markets for magnetic card exported from Bulgaria worldwide, with a combined 64% share of total exports. Germany, Sweden, Hungary and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +73.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average magnetic card export price amounted to $X per unit, surging by 5.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 423% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Denmark (+57.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Magnetic Card Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2021, the amount of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe imported into Bulgaria soared to X units, increasing by 45% against the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, recorded a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 174%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, magnetic card imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a slight descent. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X units) constituted the largest supplier of magnetic card to Bulgaria, with a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, magnetic card imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Austria (X units), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the UK (X units), with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany stood at +6.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (-2.8% per year) and the UK (-3.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest magnetic card suppliers to Bulgaria were Spain ($X), Austria ($X) and Germany ($X), together accounting for 86% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Austria, with a CAGR of +16.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 magnetic card import price stood at $X per unit in 2021, picking up by 22% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 375%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+22.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :