Bulgaria: Whole Fresh Milk Market 2025

Whole Fresh Milk Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian whole fresh milk market expanded to $X in 2022, growing by 4.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a mild curtailment. Whole fresh milk consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Whole Fresh Milk Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, whole fresh milk production rose to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Whole Fresh Milk Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2022, shipments abroad of whole fresh milk decreased by -37.8% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports showed a noticeable slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 251% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, whole fresh milk exports shrank remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 190%. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Greece (X tons) was the main destination for whole fresh milk exports from Bulgaria, with a 81% share of total exports. Moreover, whole fresh milk exports to Greece exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Romania (X tons), ninefold. Cyprus (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 3.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Greece totaled +14.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Romania (-22.4% per year) and Cyprus (+47.5% per year).

In value terms, Greece ($X) remains the key foreign market for whole fresh milk exports from Bulgaria, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Romania ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Cyprus, with a 3.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Greece amounted to +19.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Romania (-15.8% per year) and Cyprus (+47.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average whole fresh milk export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 29% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, whole fresh milk export price increased by +66.3% against 2016 indices. 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 Romania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Cyprus ($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 Serbia (+9.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Whole Fresh Milk Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, purchases abroad of whole fresh milk increased by 8.8% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after three years of decline. In general, imports posted a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 75% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, whole fresh milk imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 47%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Romania (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) were the main suppliers of whole fresh milk imports to Bulgaria, together accounting for 70% of total imports. Poland, Serbia, the Netherlands, Greece and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Serbia (with a CAGR of +599.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest whole fresh milk suppliers to Bulgaria were Romania ($X), Hungary ($X) and Poland ($X), together comprising 65% of total imports. The Czech Republic, Serbia, Greece, the Netherlands and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

Serbia, with a CAGR of +610.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers 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 whole fresh milk import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 20% against the previous year. In general, 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, whole fresh milk import price increased by +29.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the price for Hungary ($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 (+3.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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