Bulgaria: Plum And Sloe Market 2025

Plum And Sloe Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian plum and sloe market fell slightly to $X in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, posted a prominent expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Plum And Sloe Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, plum and sloe production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, enjoyed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 54%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of plums and sloes in Bulgaria reduced modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, approximately reflecting 2021. Overall, the yield indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, plum and sloe yield decreased by +0.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 62% against the previous year. The plum and sloe yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of plums and sloes were harvested in Bulgaria; which is down by -3.8% against 2021. Overall, the total harvested area indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, plum and sloe harvested area increased by +30.7% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to plum and sloe production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Plum And Sloe Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2022, shipments abroad of plums and sloes decreased by -80.2% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 125% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plum and sloe exports shrank notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports faced a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 99% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons) was the main destination for plum and sloe exports from Bulgaria, accounting for a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, plum and sloe exports to Spain exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Austria (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Romania (X tons), with a 9.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Spain amounted to +3.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Austria (-9.1% per year) and Romania (+21.4% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for plums and sloes exports from Bulgaria, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Austria ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Belarus, with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Spain stood at +4.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Austria (-0.3% per year) and Belarus (-8.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plum and sloe export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 92% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted a prominent increase. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($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 the Czech Republic (+17.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plum And Sloe Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, approx. X tons of plums and sloes were imported into Bulgaria; declining by -9.5% against the year before. In general, imports showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 291% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plum and sloe imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a slight expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 115% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, North Macedonia (X tons) was the main plum and sloe supplier to Bulgaria, accounting for a 390% share of total imports. Moreover, plum and sloe imports from North Macedonia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Greece (X tons), twofold. Moldova (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 24% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from North Macedonia totaled +1.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (+0.9% per year) and Moldova (-20.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest plum and sloe suppliers to Bulgaria were North Macedonia ($X), Greece ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 83% share of total imports. Germany and Moldova lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Germany, with a CAGR of +47.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2022, the average plum and sloe import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 125% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 167%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for North Macedonia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Moldova (+13.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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