Bulgaria: Potato Market 2025

Potato Market Size in Bulgaria

In 2021, the Bulgarian potato market decreased by -1% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption saw measured growth. Potato consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Potato Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, potato production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded notable growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 89% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of potatoes in Bulgaria totaled X tons per ha in 2021, surging by 4.8% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the yield indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, potato yield decreased by -4.7% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. The potato yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of potatoes were harvested in Bulgaria; dropping by -3.3% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 53%. The potato harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Potato Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2021, overseas shipments of potatoes decreased by -1.3% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports showed a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 1,622%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, potato exports contracted modestly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 1,578%. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Greece (X tons) was the main destination for potato exports from Bulgaria, with a 91% share of total exports. Moreover, potato exports to Greece exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Romania (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Greece totaled -2.9%.

In value terms, Greece ($X) remains the key foreign market for potato exports from Bulgaria, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Romania ($X), with a 29% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Greece stood at -3.8%.

Export Prices by Country

The average potato export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -2% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, potato export price increased by +14.2% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 51%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Greece amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Romania (+14.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Potato Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2021, the amount of potatoes imported into Bulgaria was estimated at X tons, growing by 3.5% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -16.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, potato imports stood at $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 79%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Greece (X tons) were the main suppliers of potato imports to Bulgaria, together comprising 90% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in France (with a CAGR of +17.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of potato to Bulgaria, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from France amounted to +15.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+10.3% per year) and the Netherlands (+2.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average potato import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -3.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+10.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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