Bulgarian brewers report EUR 170 m in investments, non-alcoholic beer 53% up

The Union of Brewers in Bulgaria presented the latest trends and key figures for the sector on the occasion of Ilinden, their professional holiday. Total investments since the beginning of the privatization process have exceeded BGN 1.6 billion (EUR 861 million). Over the past five years alone, breweries have invested more than EUR 170 million and carried out over 20 scientific studies, including RNA and metagenomic analyses of the beer microbiome.

Bulgaria is currently home to 42 large and small breweries. On average, each employee in the industry produces 232,000 litres of beer annually, while the average salary in the sector stands at EUR 1,650, the highest in Bulgaria's food and beverage industry.

Industry data also show that Bulgaria retains its 13th place in the European Union in both beer production and consumption. Meanwhile, 87% of Bulgarians say they would be willing to return PET bottles and aluminium cans in exchange for a 10 euro cent deposit refund.

This year, the Union of Brewers is also marking three major anniversaries: 145 years of the Bulgarian brewing industry, 70 years of brewing science, and 35 years since the establishment of the industry association.

Edited by Darina Grigorova