Bulgaria in numbers (2014-2024): FOOD AND BREAD

Borislav Georgiev

National production, the supply chain and food security are key issues and priorities not only globally, but also for ensuring the viability and sustainable development of Bulgaria. In the face of economic, social and environmental challenges, strengthening local production and ensuring a stable supply become crucial issues that should be the focus of public interest.

The Bulgarian paradox, represented by the figures for the balance of trade for staple foods and bread, for example, for the period 2014-2024, is worrying. Bulgaria's terminal strongly negative foreign trade balances in meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables are dominated by the strongly positive one in wheat exports.

The global data from the International Trade Centre - Geneva - www.trademap.org for the last 11 years (in EUR and in tonnes) by individual chapters of the Customs Tariff (CT) for meat, milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables are presented, reaching a total of nearly EUR 1 billion or 1 million tonnes for 2024. The data illustrate the state of the food sector in Bulgaria, allowing for analytical scrutiny/assessment to inform strategic planning and action.

 

 

 

The positive balance of Bulgaria's trade balance of cereals is EUR 1.3 billion or 6.6 million tonnes for 2024 and for milling products it is more than EUR 33 million or 137 thousand tonnes for the same period.

 

 

 

For the purposes of comparative analysis, we also present data on Bulgaria's position within the entire EU27 during the period 2014-2024:

 

 

Last but not least, we can emphasize the conclusion that Bulgaria has become a leading European exporter of cereals and mill products over the past 10 years, but on the other hand it is becoming increasingly dependent on the import of major food groups that ensure the basic food security of the country. Unfortunately, this is the result of a lack or misguided national policy that requires immediate measures to change.

Sofia, May 2025

 

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