The Bulgarian Furniture Market: Growth and Challenges

The Bulgarian Furniture Market: Growth, Challenges and Perspectives

Bulgaria"s upcoming membership in the eurozone and the lively real estate market are stimulating furniture sales in the country, Prof. Dr. Vasil Zhivkov, chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of the Woodworking and Furniture Industry (BCWFI) and head of the "Interior and Furniture Design" Department at the University of Forestry in Sofia, shared in an interview for BTA.

According to him, since the beginning of 2025, a decrease in furniture prices of almost 6% has been observed, and no speculative increase is expected by the end of the year and the beginning of 2026.

Prof. Zhivkov also emphasizes the growing need for qualified personnel in the sector. "The industry offers vacancies for design engineers, process engineers, designers and workers", he notes in the context of the opening of the academic year at the University of Forestry.

The optimistic trend is also confirmed by the increase in newly admitted students in three specialties directly related to the furniture industry - "Wood and Furniture Technology", "Engineering Design (Interior and Furniture Design)" and "Computer Technologies in the Furniture Industry". In 2025, 160 students were admitted to these specialties, compared to about 125-130 in the previous year.

"This is a signal that the woodworking, furniture and interior design industries are strong, they need people and young Bulgarians see a perspective in them"

commented Prof. Zhivkov. He adds that about 30 bachelors in "Wood and Furniture Technology" and "Computer Technologies in the Furniture Industry" graduate annually, and with the inclusion of part-time education - 40-50. The number of masters is about 10-15 annually, and in the specialty "Engineering Design" - about 30.

Despite the positive trends, Prof. Zhivkov emphasizes the acute shortage of engineers, especially outside the capital. Salaries for a young engineer in Sofia range from 2500 to 4000 leva, and in other regions - from 2200 to 3500 leva.

Interestingly, in some cases, qualified workers, such as assemblers, receive even higher salaries than engineers, the reason for this being the lack of enough qualified personnel.

"In Bulgaria, a net salary for a worker in the furniture industry of 2500 leva is achievable, added Prof. Zhivkov, noting that many of them receive even higher remuneration."

The sector also faces the problem of turnover of workers from third countries, mainly from former Soviet republics - Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, as well as from the Far East and Ukraine.

"Some of them sign a contract with a Bulgarian company and on the fifth day it turns out that they are already in France, Italy, Germany and there is no mechanism to bring them back"

notes Prof. Zhivkov, adding that the process of hiring workers from third countries needs to be refined.

Regarding the economic state of furniture companies in Bulgaria, Prof. Zhivkov shares that there are about 2200-2300, with almost 90% being small and micro enterprises. In 2024, the industry recorded a slight decline in production of 4.9%, and a decrease in exports of 1.7%, values which, according to him, are within acceptable limits.

However, until July 2025, there is a revival of the domestic market with production growth of about 12-13%, which is explained by the activity of the real estate market. In parallel with this, however, a sharp decrease in the prices of Bulgarian furniture for export is recorded - a decrease of 42%.

"Among the reasons for the negative results, he pointed to the stagnation of Western markets, where a sharp decrease in furniture consumption is recorded, which also affects the prices of Bulgarian companies".

Positive trends in the domestic market are expected to be maintained, even with a slight increase in sales by the end of the year, largely thanks to Bulgaria"s entry into the eurozone.

Regarding prices, national statistics show a slight decrease of 5.7% since the beginning of 2025, but Prof. Zhivkov recalls the peak of 2023 with a 35% increase compared to 2020. He rejects the possibility of a cartel agreement, arguing with the competitive market environment and the lack of large conglomerates.

"When you fight for a market in the country and especially abroad, it is absurd to play with prices"

he notes. Currently, there is a calming of material and energy prices, with many companies producing their own electricity.

"If there is something that is inflating prices, it is wages"

he adds.

The industry has submitted a letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen regarding the expected increase in import duties on furniture to the USA, with a request to protect European producers. There is still no answer. According to Prof. Zhivkov, Bulgaria_q_s exports to the USA are not large, with the main exporters being EU and UK countries.

Bulgarians most often renew chairs, sofas, armchairs, tables and wardrobes, and less often - kitchen furniture. A current trend with bookcases is colored glass doors and built-in lighting. In upholstered furniture, there is a preference for textile damasks due to their convenience and easy maintenance.