Bulgaria: Grain and Feed Market Update

Extremely hot and dry summer weather had a severe and negative impact on the Bulgarian corn crop. As a result, FAS/Sofia revised its production estimate down to 1.5 million metric tons (MMT), its lowest level since 2009, allowing for potential adjustments as the harvest progresses. The sharply reduced crop in marketing year (MY) 2025/26, along with expected lower beginning stocks, will result in a smaller domestic supply and market deficit. At the same time, growing domestic demand for corn processing for food use (starch), expanding bioethanol capacities, and increasing feed demand by the poultry and swine industries may lead to higher import needs. Bulgaria is anticipated to import more corn in MY 2025/26 than the previous year, with estimates at or more than 500,000 MT. Conversely, MY 2025/26 wheat and barley crops estimates were revised upward to 7.33 MT and 1.13 MMT, respectively, due to excellent harvests.