Bulgarian timber production has plunged to its lowest level in years, with new government figures showing harvest volumes now more than 30% below those logged a decade ago. It comes as fresh data released late last week by the government‑controlled Bulgarian Executive Forestry Agency (EFA) reveals that harvest levels fell to just 42% of annual forest growth last year — well below the European norm of 75–80%.
Wood Central understands that processing volumes have slumped, mills are running below capacity, and several wood‑processing businesses — particularly in mountainous and semi‑mountainous regions where forestry underpins local employment — have collapsed, with leaders warning the downturn is at risk of spiralling into crisis.
According to Bulgaria’s peak body for timber, the Branch Chamber of the Woodworking and Furniture Industry (BKDMP), just 80% of timber planned for transport from temporary storage sites was moved last year, marking one of the sharpest deviations from national forestry plans in recent memory. Petar Dishkov, technical expert and spokesperson, said the decline has been years in the making, with reduced forest care weakening plantations and increasing fire risk.
“The problems are already visible even to non‑specialists — the forests in our country are full of fallen dry trees, which are a prerequisite for future problems,” he said. Dishkov noted that Bulgaria is harvesting far below sustainable European norms, warning that the gap is widening and the consequences are compounding.
It comes as the deteriorating state of Bulgaria’s forests — marked by drying trees, fallen timber and ageing coppice and coniferous stands — is also creating safety hazards and elevating the likelihood of large‑scale fires. Dishkov argued that active, science‑based forest management is essential, adding that neglect, whether driven by misguided environmental policies or simple inaction, carries long‑term consequences. Logging, cultivation and afforestation, he said, must follow established scientific principles to ensure resilience and sustainability.
Despite the fall, forestry remains a cornerstone of Bulgaria’s bioeconomy, employing more than 67,000 people and contributing around 3% of national GDP. Industry leaders warn that without a shift toward active management, the sector’s economic and ecological value will continue to erode.
Bulgaria remains an active exporter of forest and timber products, despite the domestic supply squeeze. The country’s export profile is dominated by sawn timber, hardwood lumber (particularly beech and oak), roundwood, firewood and wood‑based panels such as plywood, particleboard and MDF. Crucially, it is also a major European source of wooden‑frame seating and mattresses — two high‑volume categories that depend heavily on consistent domestic timber supply.
In addition, Bulgaria is a strong exporter of solid wood and wood‑based furniture, ranking 40th globally and 23rd in Europe. Paper and paperboard products also form a significant share of outbound trade, underscoring the sector’s continued importance even as raw material availability tightens.
The pressure on raw material supply is also being felt in Bulgaria’s furniture sector, which relies heavily on domestic timber. The industry produced €535 million worth of goods in 2024 — still below its 2021 peak — with total turnover reaching approximately €600 million when mattresses are included. Solid wood and wood‑based furniture account for the largest share of production at 27.6%, followed by wooden‑frame seating at 13% and mattresses at 8.6%.
Despite constraints, Bulgaria remains competitive in export markets. The country ranks 56th globally in furniture production and 40th in exports; within Europe, it ranks 26th in production and 23rd in exports. According to Prof. Dr Vasil Zhivkov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of Forestry and Forestry Board, exports remain the sector’s strongest asset, helping Bulgaria maintain a solid competitive position within the European Union.
