Bulgaria brews 170m litres of beer amid eco push

While sales have slowed since 2024, Bulgaria’s brewers continue to invest in innovation and sustainability, according to a new report from the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria (UBB).

Bulgaria produced more than 170m litres of beer between June and August 2025, according to the latest data from the Union of Brewers in Bulgaria (UBB). 

In the first six months of 2025, Bulgarian brewers ploughed 32m levs (€16.4m) into new projects. In the same period, the beer sector contributed 64m levs (€32.7m) to national budget revenues.

Sales slightly exceeded production at 175m litres, with each brewer producing 888 litres of beer per day on average.

Despite the market slowing since 2024, beer remains a popular choice for Bulgarians. A recent Ipsos survey, commissioned by BBA, found 75% of Bulgarian adults drink beer at least once a month, while 57% do so weekly.

Low-and-no gains momentum

Consumption of non-alcoholic beer is on the rise in Bulgaria, reflecting broader European trends, with the continent’s non-alcoholic market projected to reach €15.4 billion by 2032.

More than 3m litres were consumed in the first half of the year, largely driven by health-conscious consumers. Around 22% of Bulgarians now consider non-alcoholic beer a suitable alternative.

This continues from 2024, when the consumption of non-alcoholic beer in Bulgaria tipped 80,000 hectolitres, an uptick of around 35% compared to 2023.

The public has also shown growing support for Bulgaria’s deposit return scheme (DRS), which allows consumers to gain back cash upon returning empty cans and bottles. The Ipsos poll found that 61% of Bulgarians are aware of the initiative, and 90% have a favourable view of it.

Golden opportunities

Ivana Radomirova, executive director of the Bulgarian Association of Bottled Water, said: “Deposit systems are now mandatory for all EU countries, and 15 of them already operate such systems. Bulgaria has a unique chance to build its own system, building on the most successful of these practices. 

“The leaders in this process everywhere are the beer and soft drink industries, which are obliged to fulfil a number of legally defined goals for separate collection and incorporation of recycled material into PET bottles.”

However, Radomirova voiced concern over indications that Bulgaria’s DRS might be managed by a state-owned enterprise – a model only seen in Croatia, and one that predates its EU membership.

Giving the green light to sustainability

The developments come shortly after the European Commission approved updated rules aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the beer industry, underscoring the EU’s commitment to sustainable production and recycling.

Bulgarian brewers have also reported major progress in adopting eco-friendly practices. Since 2020, the amount of electricity used to produce one litre of beer has fallen by 40%, while carbon emissions across the industry have dropped by 30%, according to the UBB.

The trade body represents 99% of beer production in the country. Its members include leading breweries such as Bolyarka–VT, Britos, Zagorka, Lomsko Pivo, Kamenitza, Dorovski Invest and Carlsberg Bulgaria.

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