Bulgaria: Dairy and Products Market Update

In 2023 Bulgarian dairy farming stabilized with a growth in milk deliveries. This was due to improved milk yields despite continued decline in the dairy cow herd, and due to record high fluid milk imports. Consolidation and restructuring of the dairy industry have continued with an increasing and dominating role by larger, more efficient dairy operations. Food inflation began to soften in the middle of 2023 and, along with improving consumer incomes, have supported demand. Current FAS/Sofia expectations are that the dairy industry should strengthen with a rebound in milk production in 2024 due to continued investments in farm efficiency, improved feed availability, reduced inflation, and more dynamic demand by the retail and hospitality industries.