Bulgaria: Popcorn Market Update
The snack foods market, especially for popcorn, has developed dynamically over the last several years. Prior to the democratic changes of the 1990s, Bulgaria used to grow and produce small quantities of popcorn which people prepared at home for home use. Street vendors with portable popcorn-makers were very popular, especially in the spring and summer seasons and in resort areas. Microwave popcorn was not yet available due to a lack of microwave ovens. Around year 2000, households began to upgrade their kitchens and microwave popcorn started to grow quickly in popularity. Ready-to-eat packaged microwave popcorn imports grew. The first industry players emerged. These companies imported U.S. popcorn in bulk and manufactured ready-to-eat flavored microwave popcorn.
