Bulgaria's Dairy Industry Overview

Bulgaria is located in Southeast Europe and has a burgeoning dairy industry that plays a vital role in its agricultural economy. With a diverse range of dairy farms and processing plants, Bulgaria is actively engaged in both the export and import of dairy products, contributing significantly to the nation's economy.

Key Data

Number of Dairy Cattle: Approximately 300,000 heads/year

Milk Production Volume: Around 1.1 billion liters/year

Milk Processing Volume: Estimated at 1 billion liters/year

Cheese Production Volume: Approximately 65,000 metric tons/year

The Volume of Milk Powder and Whey Production: Nearly 20,000 metric tons/year

Exports of Dairy Products: About 120 million USD/year

Imports of Dairy Products: Around 160 million USD/year

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

Dairy Market Events

In June 2023, raw milk prices in Bulgaria saw a notable increase due to rising input costs, increased demand for dairy products, and climatic conditions affecting production. This price change significantly impacted both producers and consumers, leading to adjustments across the dairy supply chain.

Bulgaria continues to invest in modernizing its dairy industry, with advancements in technology and farming practices. This includes initiatives to improve milk quality, increase production efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. The country actively participates in the European Union's dairy market, benefiting from funding and support programs aimed at boosting the competitiveness of its dairy sector.

Moreover, the city of Vratsa is hosting its first-ever two-day cheese and dairy festival, spotlighting a range of dairy offerings from conventional goat, cow, and sheep cheese to the more exotic donkey and mare cheese.

Conclusion

Bulgaria's dairy industry is characterized by a robust production and processing infrastructure, supported by a mixture of traditional and modern practices. The recent increase in raw milk prices signifies a dynamic market responding to various economic pressures. With continuous investments and strategic developments, Bulgaria remains an important player in the global dairy market. Significant markets for condensed milk and cream include Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Bangladesh, with curd snacks recently making inroads in new markets like Romania and Bulgaria.

Modified: 2025/05/18


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