Browse Data and Analysis

Bulgaria is a small but growing market for U.S. food and agricultural products. In 2022, total Bulgarian food and agricultural imports were valued at $8.48 billion, up 38 percent from 2021, of which 1.1 percent, or $92.2 million, were sourced from the United States.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s bulk, intermediate, and consumer oriented (BICO) export data tracks U.S. food and agriculture trade shipped directly to Bulgaria. However, it does not measure the substantial levels of the U.S. agricultural trade to Bulgaria routed through Western European ports of entry.

Bulgaria’s grocery retail sector has remained stable and vital despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the galloping inflation, and the war in Ukraine. Grocery retail sales rose year-on-year by 2.8 percent in 2021 and 4.8 percent in 2022 as compared to the previous years.

As a European Union (EU) Member State, Bulgaria applies EU regulatory requirements for all animal- and plant-origin food and agricultural imports.

Bulgaria acceded to the European Union (EU) in 2007 and follows EU directives and regulations pertaining to food safety, quality and standards.

FAS/Sofia’s marketing year (MY) 2023/24 sunflower production estimate is lowered to 1.7 million metric tons (MMT) based on the final harvest data. The sunflower crop suffered from severe and prolonged summer drought and high heat which reduced yields considerably.

FAS/Sofia’s marketing year (MY) 2023/24 corn production estimate is lowered to 2.5 million metric tons (MMT) based on the harvest progress to date. The corn crop suffered from severe and prolonged summer drought and high heat which reduced yields considerably.

The Government of Bulgaria (GOB) continues to oppose agricultural biotechnology. Non-governmental anti-biotech organizations, local activists, and Bulgaria’s organics industry actively spread nonscientific disinformation about biotechnology.

FAS Sofia updates its forecasts for Bulgarian production of grain crops in marketing year (MY)2023/24 to 10.5 million metric tons (MMT), based on improving prospects for average yields for wheat, barley, and corn.

FAS Sofia updates its forecasts for Bulgarian production of oilseed crops in marketing year (MY)2023/24 to 2.48 million metric tons (MMT), based on improving prospects for average yields of rapeseed and sunflower.

Dashboard that demonstrates the scope of Black Sea grain and oilseed trade. Millions of tons of grain are shipped through these international waters each year, making the Black Sea region a major supplier of agricultural commodities worldwide.

Bulgarian production of oilseed crops in marketing year (MY)2022/23 was at the same level as in MY2021/22 at 2.4 million metric tons (MMT), from 8 percent higher area harvested due to lower yields impacted by the summer heat and drought.