Last year, Bulgaria exported furniture worth 180 million leva and timber products worth 322 million leva, the Bulgarian Chamber of Timber Processing and Furniture Industry announced, as quoted by investor.bg.

Total output rose by 19 per cent on the year to 1.4 billion leva. A survey carried out in September saw more than a third of the sector's players (36 per cent) expecting next year a turnover increase of 5-15 per cent, while almost 10 per cent was expecting an increase by 15 per cent.

A third expected no change, whereas seven per cent expected a decrease, the chamber said as quoting survey results.

A third of all companies planned investments worth 250 000 leva, a third 50 000 leva and 21 per cent planned no investments whatsoever.
The top destinations for Bulgarian furniture exports were Italy, the UK and Germany, whereas for the timber products – Greece, Italy, Turkey and Macedonia.

As of December 31 last year, the number of workers employed in the sector reached 41 500 individuals in what is a 7 per cent year-on-year increase, the Chamber said.