Bulgaria

Most air care subcategories performed positively in retail volume and value terms in 2023 due to consumers' growing desire for a cosy atmosphere and a pleasant home ambience. However, the increase of the landscape related to home air care - such as…

Passenger numbers have continued to recover in 2023, albeit failing to achieve pre-pandemic levels. Although there are no longer any COVID-19 related travel restrictions still in place which could impede travel, including airline travel, there are…

In 2022, Alcoholic drinks in Bulgaria were mainly influenced by a 16.9% inflation rate, the Ukraine war, supply problems, high transport costs and delivery delays. All this led to a considerable rise in unit prices and stock problems among…

The analgesics market in Bulgaria has reached a mature stage, characterised by steady growth and well-established product offerings. This maturity is evident in the consistent demand for pain relief solutions driven by factors such as an ageing…

With inflation still being an issue, though apparel and footwear specialists in Bulgaria registered an increase in current value sales, constant value sales fell, as continuing rising costs cut into profit margins. There was also a slight decline in…

Performance was muted in 2023 for appliances and electronic specialists in Bulgaria, with minimal current value growth, and constant value sales falling. Continuing rising prices cut into profit margins and reduced consumers’ purchasing power. As…

AFH tissue and hygiene in Bulgaria continued to steadily recover from the harsh impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions in hotels and restaurants, which is the biggest AFH channel, hindered sales in 2020 as many establishments were…

Rising consumer awareness of the importance of proper skin care for babies and children, especially in rural areas, has led to an increase in demand for baby and child-specific skin care products in Bulgaria. Overall, this was the best performing…

In 2023, most baby food subcategories continue to show positive growth, both in retail volume and current value terms. Despite the country’s declining birth rate, there is growing demand for specialised baby food among Bulgarian mothers, with mothers…

The consumption of baked goods declined in 2023 as bread sales continue to follow the negative trend seen in the review period. Per capita growth in bread is limited due to Bulgaria’s declining population, which is falling well ahead of other…

As inflation remained relatively high in 2023, many consumers turned towards private label for their bath and shower needs. Brands like Balea from dm and Cien by Lidl captured the interest of price-conscious consumers most affected by the…

In 2023, beauty and personal care in Bulgaria performed noticeably better than in 2022. The relatively high inflation, especially in the first half of the year, led to significant growth in current value terms, with double-digit increases across most…

In 2022, beer in Bulgaria saw a slight increase in retail volume terms thanks to the preference for lower-alcoholic drinks and awareness of the health benefits of beer. However, although on-trade beer volume sales continued recovering post-pandemic,…

Bleach in Bulgaria recorded a significant decline in retail volume in 2023. Much of this was due to the uplift in growth seen during COVID-19, with consumers looking for strong, powerful, effective cleaners that were also affordable. Despite the…

The cost of a typical day in the sun on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast – the area that makes up what is now known as the fast-growing Bulgarian Riviera – remains far cheaper than most of its rival European resorts. This makes Bulgaria very attractive…

Bottled water overall benefits from strong health and wellness trends, with consumers increasingly opting for bottled water's simple hydration and refreshment, particularly in restaurants. The category is rising steadily among health-conscious…

Although a relatively small category in Bulgaria, breakfast cereals is reporting solid growth in retail volume and current value terms in 2023, due to the rising importance of health. Players are keen to develop healthier options, as with Dr Oetker's…

Sofia and Stara Zagora are Bulgaria’s most economically vibrant cities, having the highest GDP per capita among the country’s cities. Meanwhile, Burgas holds the highest potential for future economic growth. However, challenges for the country’s…

Depopulation in Bulgaria in 2021-2040 will be driven by natural decrease, but negative net migration in most years will also contribute. Ageing is set to accelerate with Bulgaria remaining among the top three oldest regional countries, thus impacting…

Bulgaria continues to rank among the top third countries globally in the Index of Economic Freedom, supported by a low tax burden and good fiscal health. Bulgaria remains an attractive investment destination, recording a considerably increasing…

Butter and spreads continue to witness decline in retail volume sales due to price inflation. Butter was among the food categories with the highest price growth in 2022 as players faced soaring costs. Retail prices continued to increase in the first…

In 2023, cafés/bars continue to recover from the significant declines recorded in the channel at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, recording strong double-digit value growth in the year. Growth can be attributed to the growing interest…

Carbonates in Bulgaria is witnessing notable shifts in 2023 due to persistent inflationary pressures impacting consumer spending habits. The rising cost of living has led consumers to curtail expenditure on non-essential goods, fostering a heightened…

Cat food in Bulgaria is expected to continue increasing in both volume and value sales in 2024. This is partly due to growth in Bulgaria’s pet cat population, though the primary drivers of volume sales remain pet humanisation, rising awareness of the…

The consumption of cheese rose marginally in 2023 after two years of decline caused by a shift back towards out-of-home entertaining and travelling in the post-pandemic era. Foodservice sales grew significantly and are exceeding pre-pandemic levels…

Recent checks by media and consumer organisations have shown certain types of chocolate confectionery – such as luxury boxed assortments and tablets – cost considerably more in Bulgaria than in other European countries where living standards are much…

In 2022, cider/perry in Bulgaria continued its upward trajectory, surpassing 2019 volume sales in the off-trade channel as open-air socialising, concerts, festivals and garden parties resumed post-pandemic. Meanwhile, record high current value sales…

Cigarette consumption in Bulgaria recorded a marginal decline in 2023. The switch to alternative products among younger adults, such as heated tobacco products and single use cigarettes, has become very popular over the last year. Millennials and Gen…

The economy segment of cigars and cigarillos in Bulgaria has been most heavily impacted by the rising cost of living and high rate of inflation in 2023. The large consumer base of cigar and cigarillo smokers are switching to cheaper alternatives,…

Instant coffee in Bulgaria is experiencing a phase of stagnation, primarily due to the outdated perception of instant coffee compared to more modern alternatives like capsule coffee and bean-grinding machines. The demographic of instant coffee users…

Due to the relatively high inflation in Bulgaria, mass colour cosmetics continued to grow at a faster pace than premium colour cosmetics in 2023. As the cost of living in Bulgaria remained quite high, people preferred to shop for more affordable…

The commodities country overview provides comprehensive data on production, consumption and price trends on key commodities markets. The commodities overview in Bulgaria covers production and consumption trends in agricultural commodities, energy…

In Bulgaria, liquid concentrates have emerged as a cost-effective option for soft drink preparation amid tightened household budgets. This shift towards more affordable alternatives has temporarily slowed the category's decline. However, concentrates…

Driven by rising unit prices and strong inflationary pressure, consumer foodservice continued to record double-digit value growth in 2023. The performance varied depending on the location; however, all categories managed to grow at a similar rate and…

Most consumer foodservice categories in Bulgaria have either recovered or are nearing full recovery in 2023. With no movement or travel restrictions, despite new COVID-19 variants, the market could continue to develop uninterrupted in the year. The…

In 2023, the consumer health market in Bulgaria is set to see steady current value growth, with sales set to continue to fall at constant 2023 prices, though at a slower rate than in the previous year in both cases. Consumer preferences are shifting…

2023 was not a good year for convenience retailers in Bulgaria. With inflation still being high, consumers cut back on spending in convenience retailers, as prices tend to be higher than in other grocery retailers. In addition, there is a degree of…

Most product areas within cooking ingredients and meals maintained positive value, despite a decline in volume. This decline can be attributed to the significant inflation experienced in the previous year, the resulting growth in retail prices, and…

Price sensitivity among Bulgarian consumers is a key factor influencing their purchasing decisions when it comes to cough, cold, and allergy (hay fever) remedies. As the minimum wage in Bulgaria is just under EUR400 in 2023, a significant portion of…

The dairy and alternatives category in Bulgaria has been severely impacted by high inflation rates against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and the country’s political crisis. Dairy prices increased enormously in 2022 and continued to grow slightly…

The slowdown in production of aluminium across Europe, due to higher energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine, has led to a shortage of aluminium for producing deodorant cans and antiperspirants. As a result, some deodorant manufacturers increased…

In 2023, depilatories in Bulgaria witnessed steady growth in current value terms, driven mainly by unit price growth. Retail volume growth also remained steady even though some consumers made cutbacks to expenditure. An increasing number of girls are…

The sedentary lifestyles that are prevalent in Bulgaria significantly impact the market for dermatological products. A lack of physical activity often goes hand in hand with prolonged periods of sitting indoors, which can lead to reduced exposure to…

Probiotics, known for their positive impact on digestive health and overall wellbeing, have gained significant traction among health conscious consumers. The growing awareness of probiotics as a preventive measure against common digestive issues,…

Marketers are increasingly focusing on educating consumers about digestive health, utilising both traditional and digital platforms. Given the sensitive nature of digestive health issues, campaigns are designed to be empathetic and non-intrusive.…

Eastern Europe’s digital development continues as consumers increasingly embrace digital services. Consumers previously suspicious of the safety of online payments began to trust and value the convenience of fast and secure online payment methods as…

Direct selling registered a fall in current value sales in Bulgaria in 2023. Both high inflation and a shift away from direct selling to e-commerce led to a drop in sales, as e-commerce also provides the convenience of direct delivery. In fact,…

Discounters in Bulgaria were the best performing grocery retailers in 2023. With inflation still being high, consumers were price sensitive and prioritised value for money. As such, discounters registered a moderate increase in constant value sales.…

Many areas in dishwashing developed positively in 2023, with value growth driven by rising inflation and increased price points. Retail volume growth was positive in automatic dishwashing liquid and tablets, driven by the growing need for convenience…

Value sales of dog food in Bulgaria are set to experience moderate growth in 2024. Much of this growth will be based on the further penetration of prepared food due to pet owners' higher awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of industrial…