Bulgarian Breweries are making a mark on the international scene with beer exports rising in Romania, Macedonia, Spain, Portugal, USA and Hungary. This is due to the high quality standard of Bulgarian beer and an established consumer base in those countries as well as effective marketing and distribution systems in operation.
Bulgarian breweries are also aiming to increase their share of the Greek market, where, in spite of a large Bulgarian community, Bulgarian beer hasn't yet effected a breakthrough. Unlike Bulgaria, which has more than 65 different kinds of beer brands and varieties, Greece's market is mainly dominated by three brands: Heineken, Amstel and Mythos. Bulgarian breweries now aim to make a foothold in our southern neighbour.
More than 2,638,000 hectolitres have been marketed in Bulgaria over the last six months alone. And experts say that the figures could have been larger had it not been been for the lack of tourists this summer, relative high inflation and the rainy spring which apparently lowered beer consumption.
Even at this rate, on average, Bulgarians consume a little more than 70 litres of beer per capita anually, which places them behind France, Spain and Portugal in the European standings. In the cases of Spain and Portugal it's possible that the British expat community may boost beer consumption.
Production figures state that currently there are 100 thousand hectolitres, representing a two percent increase on last year's comparable figures. Beer experts have stated that more than 8.5 million half litre bottles have been sold abroad.
For the moment, Romania remains Bulgaria's highest beer importer and with Europe's most famous breweries also exporting to our northern neighbour, the fact that Romanians opt for Bulgarian beer instead stands testament to the high quality of the product. Vladimir Ivanov, president of the Bulgarian beer brewers' union, has stated that, in the future, Bulgarian breweries will expand onto the Greek and Cypriot markets.
On July 1 2008 The Union of Bulgarian Beer Brewers joined the Brewers of the European Union, becoming the 26th country in the exclusive members' club.
The popular brand of Zagorka and its by-products enjoy the highest share of Bulgarian beer exports, Ivanov added.
Bulgarian breweries are also aiming to increase their share of the Greek market, where, in spite of a large Bulgarian community, Bulgarian beer hasn't yet effected a breakthrough. Unlike Bulgaria, which has more than 65 different kinds of beer brands and varieties, Greece's market is mainly dominated by three brands: Heineken, Amstel and Mythos. Bulgarian breweries now aim to make a foothold in our southern neighbour.
More than 2,638,000 hectolitres have been marketed in Bulgaria over the last six months alone. And experts say that the figures could have been larger had it not been been for the lack of tourists this summer, relative high inflation and the rainy spring which apparently lowered beer consumption.
Even at this rate, on average, Bulgarians consume a little more than 70 litres of beer per capita anually, which places them behind France, Spain and Portugal in the European standings. In the cases of Spain and Portugal it's possible that the British expat community may boost beer consumption.
Production figures state that currently there are 100 thousand hectolitres, representing a two percent increase on last year's comparable figures. Beer experts have stated that more than 8.5 million half litre bottles have been sold abroad.
For the moment, Romania remains Bulgaria's highest beer importer and with Europe's most famous breweries also exporting to our northern neighbour, the fact that Romanians opt for Bulgarian beer instead stands testament to the high quality of the product. Vladimir Ivanov, president of the Bulgarian beer brewers' union, has stated that, in the future, Bulgarian breweries will expand onto the Greek and Cypriot markets.
On July 1 2008 The Union of Bulgarian Beer Brewers joined the Brewers of the European Union, becoming the 26th country in the exclusive members' club.
The popular brand of Zagorka and its by-products enjoy the highest share of Bulgarian beer exports, Ivanov added.
