Bulgaria's Dairy Industry Overview

Bulgaria, located in Southeast Europe, is home to a thriving dairy industry, which plays a vital role in the country's agricultural sector. The industry supports approximately 300,000 dairy cattle, resulting in an impressive annual milk production volume of around 1.1 billion liters. Of this, about 1 billion liters are efficiently processed each year, underscoring the capabilities of Bulgaria's dairy sector.

Production and Processing

Cheese production in Bulgaria is noteworthy, with an estimated 65,000 metric tons produced annually. Additionally, the country produces nearly 20,000 metric tons of milk powder and whey each year. This diverse production capacity enables Bulgaria to satisfy both domestic demands and international market needs.

Trade and Economic Impact

The dairy industry is crucial to Bulgaria's trade dynamics, with exports valued at approximately 120 million USD annually. However, imports slightly exceed exports, totaling around 160 million USD each year. These figures highlight Bulgaria's integration into the global dairy market.

Major Dairy Plants

• Land O’Lakes Bulgaria
• LB Bulgaricum
• Meggle Bulgaria
• Milkana Bulgaria
• Danone Bulgaria

Notable Dairy Farms

• Ivan Stanchev Farm: Located in the Plovdiv region, it is one of the largest producers of raw milk in the country.
• Minko Yoshkov Farm: Situated in the Pazardzhik region, known for high-quality dairy cattle breeds.
• Alexandra Dairy Farm: Based in the Sofia region, renowned for innovative dairy farming practices.

Market Events

In June 2023, Bulgaria experienced a significant increase in raw milk prices, driven by rising input costs, increased demand, and climatic conditions affecting production. This price shift impacted both producers and consumers, necessitating adjustments throughout the supply chain. The industry is currently witnessing ongoing investments in modernization, with advancements in technology and farming practices aimed at enhancing milk quality, production efficiency, and reducing environmental impact. Bulgaria actively participates in the European Union's dairy market, benefiting from supportive funding and programs.

The city of Vratsa recently hosted its inaugural cheese and dairy festival, showcasing an extensive range of dairy products from conventional cow, goat, and sheep cheeses to more exotic offerings such as donkey and mare cheeses, reflecting the rich diversity of Bulgarian dairy products.

Additionally, challenges such as the restrictions imposed by Rosselkhoznadzor on the import of sheep and goats due to disease outbreaks, as well as concerns raised by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria regarding potential cartel practices in dairy pricing, are being addressed to ensure market stability.

The latest weekly bulletin from the Commodity Exchange and Wholesale Markets State Commission in Bulgaria reported a decrease in prices for dairy products over the past week. The market index for wholesale food prices fell by 0.52% to 2.315 points, down from 2.327 points the previous week.

Modified: 2025/12/01