Bulgaria’s metals industry grows 12% in 2022 – SeeNext

Bulgaria is one of the main European producers and exporters of copper, lead and manganese, which are crucial for the green transition and the European Green Deal, according to the report titled Metals, Mining & Metallurgy Industry in Bulgaria: In the dawn of a new era. The report analyses the performance of 214 companies active in the extraction of metal ores and the production of basic metals and metal processing equipment.

Bulgaria is a net importer of copper and lead and among the top global exporters of both ores, ranking between the 67th and 74th percentiles since 2022. The country is also one of the major exporters of unrefined copper, which cannot be processed domestically due to its specific content.

In terms of manganese net exports, Bulgaria has ranked between the 68th and 71st percentiles globally since 2022.

The country has limited dependence on copper, lead and manganese imports from non-European countries, which is in line with EU objectives, trade dynamics over the last three years showed.

Spread across smaller towns and municipalities near raw material sources, key industry players support regional development. The sector is one of Bulgaria's largest employers, with a total workforce of 2,064 people in 2022.

($ = 0.9132 euro)