Bulgaria: Recovered Paper Market 2025

Recovered Paper Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian recovered paper market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, increasing by 19% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +54.6% against 2017 indices. Recovered paper consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Recovered Paper Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, recovered paper production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +2.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 31%. Recovered paper production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2022, approx. X tons of recovered paper were exported from Bulgaria; with a decrease of -13.9% on the year before. In general, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +6.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 36%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, recovered paper exports rose slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 73%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons) was the main destination for recovered paper exports from Bulgaria, with a 76% share of total exports. Moreover, recovered paper exports to Turkey exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Serbia (X tons), eightfold. Hungary (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Turkey stood at +20.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Serbia (+7.6% per year) and Hungary (-5.4% per year).

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the key foreign market for recovered paper exports from Bulgaria, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Serbia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Hungary, with a 7.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Turkey amounted to +24.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Serbia (+14.3% per year) and Hungary (-3.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average recovered paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Slovenia ($X per ton) and Serbia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($X per ton) and Hungary ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Serbia (+6.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Recovered Paper Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

For the third year in a row, Bulgaria recorded decline in overseas purchases of recovered paper, which decreased by -30% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports showed a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 39%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper imports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Romania (X tons), Greece (X tons) and North Macedonia (X tons) were the main suppliers of recovered paper imports to Bulgaria, with a combined 93% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Greece (with a CAGR of +51.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Greece ($X), Romania ($X) and North Macedonia ($X) constituted the largest recovered paper suppliers to Bulgaria, with a combined 89% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Greece, with a CAGR of +60.9%, recorded 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

The average recovered paper import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 43% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, recovered paper import price increased by +107.7% against 2019 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+6.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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