Packaged milk and yoghurts production increased, while cheese and butter volumes declined significantly in recent years.
Source: Pixabay, free content license
Dairy processing in Bulgaria rose 3% on annual basis in 2025 with 717,5 million liters of raw milk processed, shows the recent preliminary data published by the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The growth came from cow milk processing, which increased 4% to 686 million liters, compared to 660 million in 2024.
Data source: Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Bulgaria
More packaged milk, less cheese
A look at the production structure reveals a substantial shift in processing mostly towards packaged drinking milk and to lesser extent – yoghurts. Packaged milk rose significantly – by 35% on annual basis - to a little above 92 thousand tons. The landmark of the dairy sector in the country – Bulgarian yoghurt – also grew to 172 thousand tons – 3% higher compared to 2024. These increases came at expense of declines in production of other dairy products – mostly cow cheese. After quantities decreased 6% in 2024, the slump doubled in 2025 to 72 thousand tons or 12% lower on annual basis. Butter production also shrunk 4% to just 940 tons, leaving Bulgarian almost entirely import dependent in that category.
Data source: Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Bulgaria
Sheep and goat dairy processing continue to struggle
High-quality, specialty farm cheeses from sheep, goat and buffalo milk became the most recognizable and favorite product category in Bulgarian sector earning premium market niche not only on the domestic market, but also abroad. Unfortunately, 2025 market another very difficult year for farmers and processors with continuous challenges related to spread of animal diseases throughout the Balkans and shrinkage of the sheep and goat herd size. After substantial slump in sheep and goat milk processing in 2024 – 24% and 13% respectively, 2025 extended contractions further. Processed sheep milk was just about 20 million liters – 6% less than 2024, and goat milk declined with 15% on an annual basis to 8,5 million liters. Thus, production of sheep, goat and buffalo cheese shrunk 16% to only 7,7 thousand tons, after already lost 18% in 2024.
Interested in Bulgarian dairy sector?
Are you a technology, product or service provider for dairy processing? Or a dairy processor or trader looking to enter or expand your market in Bulgaria? INTERFOOD & DRINK and DAIRY EXPO SOFIA are parallel annual exhibitions and B2B events that traditionally gather Bulgarian dairy sector with domestic and international partners. Well known in Southeastern Europe, INTERFOOD & DRINK has enjoyed growing interest on behalf of Bulgarian and foreign companies, business delegations, trade missions and collective foreign participations. The exhibition is the preferred environment for sharing experience and innovative approaches in manufacturing processes. The exhibition is an advanced business platform for participation in conferences, contests, presentations, seminars, business meetings and more. The 2026 edition will take place 11-14.11.2026 at Inter Expo Center in Sofia.
For any questions or requests related to the topic, please feel free to contact our LAN-team in Sofia via SOF-LVVN@minbuza.nl. We are happy to facilitate Dutch partners with interest in Bulgaria.