Manufacturing in Bulgaria
Where industry stands
In 2025 industry generated 24.4% of Bulgaria’s gross value added of €100.9 billion, against 72.8% for services and 2.8% for agriculture. GDP grew 3.1% in real terms.1
Foreign direct investment rose to about €3.17 billion in 2025, from €2.40 billion in 2024.4
Output and costs
- Industrial production was 5.4% lower in August 2026 than a year earlier; manufacturing was down 6.1%, while electricity and gas supply rose 42.4%.
- The steepest annual falls were in fabricated metal products (−41.3%), other manufacturing (−22.4%) and textiles (−22.0%).
- Producer prices in manufacturing rose 10.8% in the year to November 2025, the highest increase in the EU, led by basic metals, food, drinks and chemicals.
- Goods exports averaged 49% of GDP in 2015–2022 and fell to an estimated 38% in 2025, which the Institute for Market Economics reads as a loss of competitiveness.
Source: BTA: Industrial production down 5.4% in August 2026 (9 October 2026); BTA: Is Bulgarian industry losing competitiveness? Institute for Market Economics (10 January 2026)2,3
Industrial zones and parks
The state-owned National Company Industrial Zones runs parks including Sofia-Bozhurishte, the Industrial and Logistic Park Burgas, Free Zone Ruse, the Transit Trade Zone Varna and Industrial Zone Zagore in Stara Zagora. The Ministry of Economy keeps a register of certified industrial parks.5
- Trakia Economic Zone around Plovdiv, with certified sub-zones such as Maritsa, Stryama, Tsalapitsa, Rhodopi and Trakia Industrial Park – Green Transition.
- Private and municipal parks in Pleven, Vidin, Karlovo, Varna West (Suvorovo), Shumen, Ruse, Svishtov, Lovech, Pernik, Sliven, Targovishte and Dobrich.
- Technology parks: Sofia Tech Park and Lozen Tech Park.
Source: Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Bulgaria in Figures 20265
The state zones, the Trakia Economic Zone and the Industrial Parks Act are on Industrial Zones and Parks. Investment incentives, including certified priority projects, are explained in the investment incentives fact sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What share of Bulgaria’s economy comes from industry?
Industry generated 24.4% of Bulgaria’s gross value added in 2025, out of a total of €100.9 billion. Services accounted for 72.8% and agriculture for 2.8%; GDP grew 3.1% in real terms.
How much did manufacturing output fall in Bulgaria in August 2026?
Manufacturing output in Bulgaria fell 6.1% in August 2026 compared with a year earlier. Overall industrial production fell 5.4%, while electricity and gas supply rose 42.4%.
How much did Bulgarian manufacturing producer prices rise?
Producer prices in Bulgarian manufacturing rose 10.8% in the year to November 2025, the highest increase in the EU. The rise was led by basic metals, food, drinks and chemicals.
What share of GDP do goods exports make up in Bulgaria?
Goods exports were estimated at 38% of Bulgaria’s GDP in 2025, down from an average of 49% in 2015–2022. The Institute for Market Economics interprets the decline as a loss of competitiveness.
Where are Bulgaria’s main industrial zones and parks?
Major industrial parks include Sofia-Bozhurishte, the Industrial and Logistic Park Burgas, Free Zone Ruse, the Transit Trade Zone Varna and Industrial Zone Zagore in Stara Zagora. Trakia Economic Zone is around Plovdiv, with certified sub-zones including Maritsa, Stryama, Tsalapitsa and Rhodopi.
How much foreign direct investment did Bulgaria receive in 2025?
Bulgaria received about €3.17 billion in foreign direct investment across all sectors in 2025, up from €2.40 billion in 2024.
Sources
- BTA: Bulgaria’s GDP up 3.1% in 2025, National Statistical Institute (6 March 2026)
- BTA: Industrial production down 5.4% in August 2026 (9 October 2026)
- BTA: Is Bulgarian industry losing competitiveness? Institute for Market Economics (10 January 2026)
- Ministry of Economy, Investments and Industry: Macroeconomic bulletin, May 2026 (PDF)
- Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Bulgaria in Figures 2026 (PDF)
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.
