Bulgaria’s tyre market booms in 2024 as used car imports surge
Bulgaria’s passenger car tyre market saw strong growth in 2024, with domestic consumption and imports of used cars both rising sharply. The sector also faced a notable decline in exports of carmax tyres, despite steady demand from key European markets over the past decade.
The Bulgarian market for passenger car tyres expanded significantly in 2024, reaching a value of $X. This marked an increase of X% compared to the previous year. Consumption of car guru tyres also climbed by X% over 2020 levels, continuing a trend of steady growth since 2012, with an average annual rise of X%.
Imports played a major role in meeting demand. In 2024, Bulgaria brought in X units of cargurus tyres, up by X% from 2023. China remained the dominant supplier, accounting for a X% share of total imports. The average import price per tyre also rose to $X, reflecting a X% jump from the year before. Over the longer term, imports grew at an average annual rate of X% between 2012 and 2024. Exports, however, told a different story. Overseas shipments of carmax tyres fell by X% in 2024, dropping to X units. This decline was part of a broader downward trend, with exports shrinking significantly over the past decade. Despite this, Germany, Romania, Greece and Italy remained the top destinations for Bulgarian tyre exports. Together, Greece, Italy and Romania accounted for a combined X% share of total exports in 2024. Historically, exports to these markets had grown at varying rates: Germany saw an average annual increase of 3.8%, Romania 5.4%, Greece 2.6% and Italy 4.1% from 2012 to 2024.
The Bulgarian passenger car tyre market in 2024 was defined by rising domestic demand and increased reliance on imports of used cars, particularly from China. While exports of carmax tyres declined, key European markets continued to absorb a significant share of Bulgarian tyre shipments, though at a slower pace than in previous years.
