Bulgaria: Hazelnut Market 2025

Hazelnut Market Size in Bulgaria

For the fifth consecutive year, the Bulgarian hazelnut market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 11% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption recorded a strong increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Hazelnut Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, hazelnut production contracted significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 130%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then fell markedly in the following year.

The average yield of hazelnuts in Bulgaria declined slightly to X kg per ha in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the yield saw a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the average hazelnut 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.

The hazelnut harvested area in Bulgaria contracted to X ha in 2021, reducing by -2.6% on the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 98%. The hazelnut harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Hazelnut Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

Hazelnut exports from Bulgaria reduced notably to X tons in 2021, which is down by -78.5% on the previous year. In general, exports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 706% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hazelnut exports contracted rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 800% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for hazelnut exports from Bulgaria, with a approx. 100% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Italy stood at +13.6%.

In value terms, Italy ($X) also remains the key foreign market for hazelnut exports from Bulgaria.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Italy amounted to +24.3%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average hazelnut export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -3.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, hazelnut export price increased by +105.2% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 112%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell slightly in the following year.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for Italy.

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Italy amounted to +9.5% per year.

Hazelnut Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2021, purchases abroad of hazelnuts increased by 1,292% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after five years of decline. In general, imports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 3,164% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hazelnut imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 3,772%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Serbia (X tons), Georgia (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main suppliers of hazelnut imports to Bulgaria, with a combined 93% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Turkey (with a CAGR of +120.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Serbia ($X), Georgia ($X) and Turkey ($X) appeared to be the largest hazelnut suppliers to Bulgaria, together accounting for 84% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +110.4%, 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

In 2021, the average hazelnut import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -11.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 63% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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