Photo: Union of Brewers in Bulgaria
Capital investments by Bulgaria's brewing industry have reached BGN 1.625 billion (EUR 831 million) since the privatization of the country's breweries began in 1994, Union of Brewers in Bulgaria (UBB) Chair Vladimir Ivanov said at a news conference at the BTA National Press Club in Sofia on the occasion of St. Elijah's Day, the brewers' professional holiday, as well as the 145th anniversary of the Bulgarian brewing industry, the 70th anniversary of brewing science in Bulgaria and the 35th anniversary of UBB.
Over the past five years, investments in tangible fixed assets have exceeded BGN 331 million (EUR 170 million). Last year alone, they amounted to EUR 45 million, the highest annual level in the past two decades. More than 40% of these investments have gone into new malt production facilities. Ivanov said this demonstrates the sector's long-term vision and confidence in its development, including at the regional level.
Bulgaria currently has 42 registered beer producers: three large companies accounting for more than 92% of the country's beer production, seven small and medium-sized breweries, and 32 microbreweries. The sector provides employment for around 22,000 people throughout the production and distribution chain, with 9% directly employed by breweries. The average monthly salary in the brewing industry exceeds EUR 1,650, remaining the highest in Bulgaria's food and beverage industry, Ivanov added.
"The Bulgarian brewing industry produces both lager and dark beer in a transparent manner. We are on the side of the law, we are responsible taxpayers, and we are highly committed both to our consumers and to the people working in the brewing industry," Ivanov said.
According to the data presented, beer production in Bulgaria totalled 4.42 million hectolitres in 2025, while sales reached nearly 5 million hectolitres. Although sales volumes declined by 5% compared with 2024, three-quarters of Bulgarians consume beer at least once a month, and more than half drink it every week. Annual beer consumption in 2025, including non-alcoholic beer, stood at 76 litres per capita.