Bulgaria: Paper And Paperboard Market 2024

Paper And Paperboard Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian paper and paperboard market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, which is down by -1.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a strong expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Paper And Paperboard Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, paper and paperboard production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 312% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Paper And Paperboard Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2022, overseas shipments of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) decreased by -21.3% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports continue to indicate a sharp setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 259% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard exports dropped slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 198%. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Cyprus (X tons) and Serbia (X tons) were the main destinations of paper and paperboard exports from Bulgaria, with a combined 80% share of total exports. Armenia, Greece, the Czech Republic and North Macedonia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Armenia (with a CAGR of +360.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for paper and paperboard exported from Bulgaria were Serbia ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Armenia ($X), with a combined 69% share of total exports.

Armenia, with a CAGR of +178.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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 2022, the average paper and paperboard export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 59% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 Cyprus (+26.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper And Paperboard Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, overseas purchases of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) increased by 3% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. Overall, imports enjoyed a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 127%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paper and paperboard imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 119%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Italy (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Greece (X tons) were the main suppliers of paper and paperboard imports to Bulgaria, together comprising 80% of total imports. Switzerland, Turkey, Serbia and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Switzerland (with a CAGR of +52.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constituted the largest supplier of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) to Bulgaria, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Greece ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Sweden, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Italy amounted to +4.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (+13.2% per year) and Sweden (+32.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average paper and paperboard import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -23.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 64%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped markedly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+73.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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