发布时间：2008.7

摘要

Countries covered: Bulgaria

BMI’s Bulgaria Food & Drink Report for Q308 places Bulgaria in a modest eighth place within the 14food and drinks markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The country has benefited tremendouslyfrom the lead up to its European Union (EU) accession, both in terms of financial aid and closereconomic integration, which has boosted its food and drink and agricultural industries. Foodconsumption, alcohol and tobacco sales have all increased in recent years, despite the fact that thepopulation is gradually decreasing. This trend shows the opportunities that exist for food and drinkmanufacturers, as consumers are increasingly interested in new food trends and prepared to pay morefor premium products at the expense of cheaper commodity items.

Foreign companies are recognising such opportunities. To this end, in April 2008, Carlsberg Bulgariaannounced that it will boost the monthly output capacity by 40,000 hectolitres (hl), as part of its longertermaim to modernise its regional production facilities. The Bulgarian upgrade - of the Blagoevgradfacility, which produces Pirinsko Pivo - is expected to be completed shortly, further improving the 12%rise in beer sales in January and February 2008. In the meantime, its Danish parent company Carlsberghas added energy drink Battery to its Bulgarian portfolio, in response to rising demand for suchbeverages.

Domestic companies are also becoming more aggressive in terms of their expansion strategies. InMarch 2008, local brewer Boliarka announced that it will start exporting its beer to the US. Thecompany currently exports around 6% of its annual output, with most of its destined for Romania. EUintegration has increased export opportunities not only because of better trade links, higher exposure toBulgarian products and tourism, but also due to the rising number of Bulgarian expatriates livingelsewhere in Europe.

In the food industry, in December 2007, French poultry processing company Duc created a joint venture(JV) with Bulgarian poultry producer SVS 98, in which it will hold a 40% stake. The JV will markettop-grade fresh chicken in Bulgaria, targeting rising disposable incomes and a shift towards consumerpreference for quality and premium foodstuffs. The market is likely to continue experiencing suchdynamism, despite current spending on food and drink being low in regional terms, as economicconditions improve.

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