Bulgaria: Polycarbonate Market 2024

Polycarbonate Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

For the third consecutive year, Bulgaria recorded growth in shipments abroad of polycarbonates (in primary forms), which increased by 34% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 249% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 424% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

North Macedonia (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Mexico (X tons) were the main destinations of polycarbonate exports from Bulgaria, together comprising 66% of total exports. These countries were followed by Turkey, Ukraine, China, Romania and Israel, which together accounted for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +251.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, North Macedonia ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for polycarbonates (in primary forms) exports from Bulgaria, comprising 37% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to North Macedonia stood at +105.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (+265.4% per year) and Italy (+60.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average polycarbonate export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 6.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, polycarbonate export price increased by +59.7% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 50%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Israel ($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 Mexico (+8.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polycarbonate Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, overseas purchases of polycarbonates (in primary forms) decreased by -12% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, showed a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 75%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest polycarbonate supplier to Bulgaria, accounting for a 28% share of total imports. Moreover, polycarbonate imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X tons), twofold. Lithuania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany amounted to +29.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-1.8% per year) and Lithuania (+96.0% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of polycarbonates (in primary forms) to Bulgaria, comprising 28% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany totaled +27.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+0.6% per year) and Spain (+43.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average polycarbonate import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 1.8% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, polycarbonate import price increased by +65.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 62%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lithuania (+12.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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