site.btaBulgarian Winemaking Sector Modernizing, Agency Chief Says

The winemaking sector in Bulgaria is modernizing, with 77% of those employed being under the age of 50, said Krasimir Koev, Executive Director of the Executive Agency for Vine and Wine, duing the opening of the 11th Agra, Vinaria and Foodtech exhibitions at the Plovdiv International Fair Tuesday.

He pointed out that 365 wineries operate in Bulgaria, which harvested and processed over 63 million litres of wine in in 2025. On an annual basis, about 112 million litres are sold in Bulgaria, while the exports amount to more than 16 million litres, Koev noted, adding that the volume of exports remains relatively low. He recalled that in 2022, approximately 37 million litres Bulgarian wine were exported.

"In terms of value, however, revenues are currently about one and a half times higher, which means that we are no longer in the lowest price segment and we are selling Bulgarian wines at higher prices," Koev emphasized. He said that of the country's 365 operating wineries, 151 have foreign investors who have put money into Bulgarian wine production.

Koev noted that 2025 was among the more difficult years in terms of climate for the sector, as the drought led to a decrease in the harvest. However, with the construction of more irrigation systems and the introduction of drip irrigation, a gradual improvement is expected.