Bulgaria's processed food industry: Transition to market economy

The subject of the research is the analysis of the competitiveness and comparative advantage of the agricultural products and processed food products of Bulgaria on the international market. The study covers the period from 1998 to 2017. In order to measure the level of comparative advantage of the export and the degree of specialization in international trade RCA and GL indices have been used. The aim of or research was to identify products that have previously before the EU accession had, and still have, export potential. That is, the objective was to point the trend of changes in the foreign trade of processed food sector in the period before and after the EU accession in 2007. The results indicate that after joining the EU Bulgaria has changed its foreign trade structure. The decrease of exports and increase of imports of processed food sector products requires a comprehensive export strategy in order to strengthen its competitiveness. © 2021 EA. All rights reserved.