Bulgaria: Market for Crabs and Crab Meat 2025

Market Size for Crabs and Crab Meat in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian crab and crab meat market totaled $X in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a buoyant expansion. Crab and crab meat consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Crabs and Crab Meat in Bulgaria

In value terms, crab and crab meat production rose slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 35%. Crab and crab meat production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2021, overseas shipments of crabs and crab meat were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports posted a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 44,838%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 58,183%. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Greece (X tons) were the main destinations of crab and crab meat exports from Bulgaria, together comprising 93% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Greece (with a CAGR of +131.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for crabs and crab meat exports from Bulgaria, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Greece ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 7.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to France totaled +17.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Greece (+161.5% per year) and the Netherlands (0.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, standing approx. at the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Greece ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sweden ($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 Italy (+23.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Crabs and Crab Meat

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2021, approx. X tons of crabs and crab meat were imported into Bulgaria; falling by -66.7% against 2020. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 960% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, crab and crab meat imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest crab and crab meat supplier to Bulgaria, accounting for a 63% share of total imports. Moreover, crab and crab meat imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Greece (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the Czech Republic (X tons), with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands totaled +50.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (-0.8% per year) and the Czech Republic (-31.0% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of crabs and crab meat to Bulgaria, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 6.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Netherlands stood at +80.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+53.9% per year) and Germany (+2.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average crab and crab meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 1,436% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price posted a significant expansion. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for the Czech Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+52.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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