Coca-Cola Marks 60 Years in Bulgaria Highlighting a Significant Contribution to the Local Economy

For the period 2014-2024, the Coca-Cola System in the country has supported more than 7.43 billion BGN in value-added and 3.13 billion BGN in taxes 

• The economic impact of the Coca-Cola System in Bulgaria for 2024 is stated in an added value of over 1.15 billion BGN
• The total contribution equals 0.6% of Bulgaria’s GDP
• In 2024 the System supported over 17,300 jobs

In 2025 the Coca-Cola System marks the 60th anniversary since the first bottle of Coke was produced in Bulgaria. During a special event, in the presence of Prime Minister Mr. Rosen Zhelyazkov, ambassadors, institutional representatives, partners, and media, new data was announced, clearly demonstrating the significance of its economic presence in the country and highlighting its sustainable growth trajectory and contribution to the Bulgarian economy.

According to the latest economic impact report*, in 2024 alone the Coca-Cola System supported 1.15 billion BGN in value added to the Bulgarian economy. The System paid and supported a total of 502 million BGN in tax contributions across its value chain. The amount equals nearly 1% of Bulgaria’s tax income or around half of the government’s spending on cultural services[1], or to the amount needed to fund the annual educational expenses of nearly 150,000 primary and pre-primary students[2].

Since 2014, the value added the Coca-Cola System supports has more than doubled, reflecting an annual growth rate of 8%. In total, between 2014 and 2024, Coca-Cola has supported more than 7.43 billion BGN in value added and 3.13 billion BGN in taxes.

“Coca-Cola has been present in Bulgaria for 60 years and today we are glad that we are a local business with a significant role in the country’s economy with 5 companies from our System active in Bulgaria. In total, the System supported over 17,300 jobs in 2024, including 3,336 people directly employed and 14,000 supported indirectly. These figures represent 0.5% of total employment in Bulgaria and clearly shows how deeply Coca-Cola System is integrated into the Bulgarian economy.”, said Bosko Popeskov, Country manager of Coca-Cola Bulgaria.

The System’s employment footprint extended far beyond its direct workforce—each job at Coca-Cola supported four more in related industries. With the operations growing, so does its direct employment, which went from 2,000 people in 2014 to more than 3,300 in 2024. On average, in the same period, the System has indirectly supported 5.5 employment opportunities in Bulgaria for each person it directly employed.

In 2024, 431 million liters of beverages were sold in the country and the System strengthened its support for the Bulgarian economy through the purchase of goods and services for BGN 236 million from local suppliers.

“As the largest producer of soft drinks in the country, operating one production plant in Kostinbrod and one water facility in Bankia, we are aware of our responsibility not only to our nearly 40,000 customers and partners, but also to the local economy and society. The System’s activity in 2024 translated into a 0.6% contribution to Bulgaria’s GDP and 0.9% of total national tax revenues, making the Coca-Cola System one of the most significant private contributors to public finances. We are proud to share that every 1 BGN spent on Coca-Cola beverages leads to 0.77 BGN of incomes in Bulgaria. Our efforts will continue. We are committed to advancing two significant socio-economic projects, with an investment exceeding BGN 78 million. And here is the place to express my heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional team that is at the heart of all these achievements”, shared Yavor Stefanov, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria.

*The results are published in “The Economic Impact of the Coca-Cola System in Bulgaria”, an independent study prepared by the global consulting firm Steward Redqueen, covering the period 2014–2024. The findings presented are based on input-output modelling, a globally recognized methodology used to measure how economic activity flows through interlinked sectors. The model traces the direct effects of Coca-Cola’s operations—such as jobs, procurement, and tax payments—as well as the indirect effects on suppliers, their suppliers, distributors, and sales outlets. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of how consumer spending on Coca-Cola products transforms into wages, tax revenues, and value across the national economy.

[1] Government spending on cultural services in 2023 (latest reported): 900 million BGN (Eurostat);

[2] Based on government spending on pre-primary and primary education and pupils enrolled at those levels in 2023 (1500 million spent and 449,223 pupils respectively, Eurostat)