Bulgaria: Chestnut Market 2025

Chestnut Market Size in Bulgaria

In 2021, the Bulgarian chestnut market increased by 45% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption showed buoyant growth. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Chestnut Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, chestnut production rose markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production enjoyed a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 129% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average yield of chestnuts in Bulgaria skyrocketed to X tons per ha, growing by 72% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield showed a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by 207%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the average chestnut yield remained at a 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 harvested area of chestnuts in Bulgaria contracted to X ha, remaining constant against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to chestnut production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Chestnut Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2021, approx. X tons of chestnuts were exported from Bulgaria; waning by -39.1% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports saw a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 746%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chestnut exports dropped remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a pronounced expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 1,755%. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Greece (X tons) was the main destination for chestnut exports from Bulgaria, accounting for a 74% share of total exports. Moreover, chestnut exports to Greece exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Greece amounted to -17.5%.

In value terms, Greece ($X) and Germany ($X) were the largest markets for chestnut exported from Bulgaria worldwide.

Among the main countries of destination, Germany, with a CAGR of -2.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average chestnut export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 13% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +11.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, chestnut export price decreased by -10.4% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 119%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Greece totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Portugal (+89.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Chestnut Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2021, approx. X tons of chestnuts were imported into Bulgaria; which is down by -4.8% on the previous year. Overall, imports, however, recorded a perceptible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 1,278%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chestnut imports reduced to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 548%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Greece (X tons) constituted the largest chestnut supplier to Bulgaria, with a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, chestnut imports from Greece exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Turkey (X tons), threefold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Greece totaled -2.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+27.1% per year) and Germany (-8.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X), Greece ($X) and Turkey ($X) were the largest chestnut suppliers to Bulgaria, with a combined 96% share of total imports. The Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 4%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +17.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average chestnut import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -10.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, posted a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average import price increased by 91% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+10.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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