For the first quarter of 2022, Bulgaria has decreased exports of vegetables and growth in imports of fruits

In the first quarter of 2022, Bulgaria experienced a fluctuation in its agricultural trade, with import and export volumes showing significant changes compared to the previous year. Import data from the National Statistical Institute and the Ministry of Agriculture reveals a decrease in fresh vegetable imports by 3.7%, primarily due to a drop in cucumber, gherkin, and tomato supplies, despite a rise in potato imports. Conversely, fresh fruit imports surged by 13%, with citrus fruits and bananas dominating, alongside a notable increase in apple imports.

On the export front, there was a notable decline in fresh vegetable exports by 42.1%, highlighted by a significant decrease in cucumber, cabbage, and sweet corn exports, leading to an offsetting increase in fresh fruit exports by 66.2%. These exports largely represented re-exports of non-domestic produce, with a diverse mix of citrus fruits, contributing to the overall trade dynamics. However, there were also notable declines in the export of nuts, strawberries, and apples, underscoring the varied trends in Bulgaria's agricultural market during the first quarter of 2022.