Bulgaria’s poultry sector sees successful recovery

In Bulgaria in 2021, the number of broiler farms shrunk by 66.3% as commercialisation and consolidation expanded with medium-sized and large farms accounting for over 98% of Bulgaria’s total chicken inventory. Altogether, in 2021, a 3.1% growth in inventory was reported. To summarise:

• An 80.1% decrease in small farms (up to 200 birds), and an 81.8% decrease in inventory.
• A 6.5% increase in medium-sized farms (10,000 to 100,000 birds), and a 19.2% increase in inventory.
• A 23.1% decrease in large farms (over 100,000 birds), and a 11.4% decrease in inventory.

In 2021, broiler meat accounted for 78% of commercially produced poultry meat, compared to 17% for duck meat, with a slightly higher carcass weight of 1.7 kg compared to 1.6 kg in 2020. Meanwhile, duck meat output declined by 4.6% with the industry having suffered from bird flu outbreaks at several large farms.

Poultry consumption decreased by 2.3% in 2021 over 2020 (down 3.7% between 2019 and 2020). This is attributed to retail sales not making up for the decline in the food service industry, and to a lower number of tourists. Consumption per capita (excluding dining out), however, grew by 5% to 12.6 kg/capita in 2021 (12 kg/capita in 2020).

Broiler meat, which accounted for 94% of total poultry meat imports in 2021, is sourced mainly from Hungary (24%), Romania (19%), Greece (13%) and Poland (13%). Poultry meat imports in 2021 declined by 5.3% by volume due to more price-sensitive domestic demand but increased by 16.4% in value compared to 2020 due to higher import prices.

Export revenues in Bulgaria come mainly from duck products. Exports increased by 13.5% in volume and by 31.6% in value due to higher export prices. Exports of duck meat to the main export markets of France and Belgium in 2021 increased by 51% and 44% in volume, respectively, over 2020.

Total broiler meat export increased by 8.4% in tonnage and by 19.3% in value in 2021. Greece (42%) was the leading export market, followed by Romania (15%). North Macedonia (11% share) and the Netherlands (7% share) also experienced a growth in exports compared to 2020, by 6% and 111%, respectively.

The European Commission reported a 5% increase in Bulgarian poultry meat production as of July 2022 compared to a year ago. During this same period, the European Union averaged a 1.2% decline, placing Bulgaria among the top 4 EU member states (including Lithuania, Austria, and Poland) that saw the largest increase in poultry production.

It is expected that total poultry meat consumption is likely to see marginal growth, followed by a full recovery in 2023. In terms of trade, From January through July 2022, broiler meat imports declined by 6% in volume and increased by over 20% in value. Hungary and Romania remained the leading suppliers, but their exports to the local market decreased, while Greece and the Netherlands boosted their sales to Bulgaria by 6% and 16%, respectively.

In January through July 2022, broiler meat export expanded by 10.1% by volume and 26% by value from the corresponding period in 2021. Exports (by value) to Italy and the UK more than doubled, along with higher exports to Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, and Serbia.

Monthly market prices for broilers grew by 43.1% from €154.94 per 100 kg in September 2021 to reach €221.72 per 100 kg in September 2022. The average EU increase in this period is 35.5%.