The Food and Drink Industry in Bulgaria
The industry
About 6,000 companies process food in Bulgaria, nearly half of them in the south-central and south-western regions. The Ministry of Economy counts over 5,000 enterprises in food and beverages, with more than 73,000 employees and about 14% of industrial value added.1,2
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: Food processing ingredients, Bulgaria (8 January 2026, PDF)1
Retail and food service
- Grocery retail sales reached BGN 15.2 billion in 2024; modern retail had 67%.
- There were 36,047 grocery outlets. Lidl had nearly 20% of grocery sales.
- Food service sales rose almost 4% in 2024, to 39,781 outlets.
- More than 81% of consumer food imports come from other EU countries.
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: Food processing ingredients, Bulgaria (8 January 2026, PDF)1
Costs to watch
Producer prices rose 19.6% for food and 14.2% for drinks in the year to November 2025, among the steepest increases in Bulgarian manufacturing.3
Frequently Asked Questions
How many food processing companies are there in Bulgaria?
About 6,000 companies process food in Bulgaria, nearly half of them in the south-central and south-western regions. The Ministry of Economy counts over 5,000 enterprises in food and beverages.
How many people work in Bulgaria’s food and drink industry?
More than 73,000 people work in Bulgaria’s food and drink industry, which accounts for about 14% of industrial value added.
What are the largest food processing segments in Bulgaria?
Meat is the largest food processing segment in Bulgaria, with an estimated 25% share in 2024. Dairy and beverages each accounted for 20%, bakery and confectionery 15%, edible oils and fats 10%, and other segments 10%.
How much were grocery retail sales in Bulgaria in 2024?
Grocery retail sales in Bulgaria reached BGN 15.2 billion in 2024, with modern retail accounting for 67%. The country had 36,047 grocery outlets, and Lidl had nearly 20% of grocery sales.
How much did Bulgarian food and drink producer prices rise in 2025?
In the year to November 2025, producer prices in Bulgaria rose 19.6% for food and 14.2% for drinks.
Sources
- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: Food processing ingredients, Bulgaria (8 January 2026, PDF)
- Ministry of Economy: Deputy Minister Barbalov at the “YES! To Bulgarian Food” forum (16 December 2025)
- BTA: Is Bulgarian industry losing competitiveness? Institute for Market Economics (10 January 2026)
Figures checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
