Paskal Zhelev
Keywords: food industry, manufacturing, Bulgaria, competitiveness
Abstract
Food processing industry is the biggest manufacturing industry in Bulgaria with the longest-lived traditions. The EU accession of Bulgaria has boosted the competitiveness of the industry that had to comply with strict regulations, faced tough competition but also new investment and trade opportunities. The aim of the paper is to present the current status of the Bulgarian food processing industry in terms of output, investment, employment, foreign trade performance and its prospects for future development. During the last decade the Bulgarian food processing industry has been growing, using its national competitive advantages such as good access to raw materials and low labour costs.