Bulgaria: Filter Block Market 2025

Filter Block Market Size in Bulgaria

In 2022, the Bulgarian filter block market decreased by -36.5% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, showed a buoyant increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Filter Block Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, filter block production expanded rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 143%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Filter Block Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2022, overseas shipments of filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp decreased by -26.7% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after six years of growth. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 175%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, filter block exports declined significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 243% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) was the main destination for filter block exports from Bulgaria, with a 84% share of total exports. Moreover, filter block exports to Romania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Serbia (X tons), tenfold. North Macedonia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 2.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Romania stood at +22.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Serbia (+7.8% per year) and North Macedonia (+67.0% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp exports from Bulgaria, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Serbia ($X), with a 6% share of total exports. It was followed by Greece, with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Romania totaled +24.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Serbia (+8.2% per year) and Greece (+33.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average filter block export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -47.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, posted modest growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 66% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank notably in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Greece ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to North Macedonia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hungary (+59.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Filter Block Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp, when their volume decreased by -41.6% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, showed a noticeable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 109%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

In value terms, filter block imports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 157% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Greece (X tons) constituted the largest filter block supplier to Bulgaria, with a 57% share of total imports. Moreover, filter block imports from Greece exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), threefold. Romania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Greece stood at +15.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+2.5% per year) and Romania (+7.2% per year).

In value terms, Greece ($X) constituted the largest supplier of filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp to Bulgaria, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 9.3% share of total imports. It was followed by Romania, with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Greece amounted to +22.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+3.6% per year) and Romania (+8.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average filter block import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 63%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+6.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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