The Coca-Cola system in Bulgaria contributes €623 million to the country's economy

Contributions include new water pipeline network that will provide water to residents in Kostinbrod area

With a special event, the Coca-Cola System in Bulgaria celebrated the 30th anniversary of the production center in Kostinbrod - an anniversary that clearly highlights the company’s long-term contribution to the Bulgarian economy, the development of modern manufacturing, and the strength of the sustainable partnership between business, institutions, and society. The event also marked the completion of a new water pipeline for the town of Kostinbrod and the village of Voluyak - an infrastructure project worth €4.1 million, fully funded by Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria. Another example of the company’s commitment to the sustainable development of local communities, the new 11.4-kilometer water pipeline network will improve the quality of life and support the long-term well-being of people and businesses, providing approximately 2.1 billion liters of water annually to the region’s residents and the production center.

This investment is part of the long-term strategy of the Coca-Cola system in Bulgaria, which in 2025 contributed €623 million in added value to the Bulgarian economy, equivalent to 0.6% of the country’s gross domestic product. For every €1 spent on Coca-Cola beverages, €0.77 in revenue is generated for the Bulgarian economy. These are some of the key findings from the independent study on “The Impact of the Coca-Cola System in Bulgaria in 2025,” conducted by the global consulting firm Steward Redqueen.

“Bulgaria is an important market for Coca-Cola HBC - a market with talented people, strong partners, and potential for sustainable growth. And the production center in Kostinbrod is a strategic part of our presence here and clear proof of our long-term commitment to the country. Here, you can see what modern and responsible production means - with a constant focus on people’s safety, energy efficiency, sustainability, and innovation,” said Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola HBC.

This contribution is also evident in the economic results of the Coca-Cola System in Bulgaria. According to the study, it directly generates revenue of €172.4 million and supports an additional €78.3 million upstream in the value chain and €372 million downstream.

The System’s contribution is also measured by the jobs it creates and supports throughout the value chain. Companies within the System provide direct employment to nearly 3,500 people in their plants and offices, support an additional 2,040 jobs among their suppliers, and facilitate the creation of 10,900 jobs in sales and distribution. In total, this means support for nearly 16,500 jobs in Bulgaria. Or to put it another way - for every single job in the Coca-Cola System, four more jobs are supported in the country.

“Our two plants employ 400 exceptionally dedicated and passionate professionals, 100 of whom live in the Kostinbrod and Bankya area, and I believe that, together with their loved ones and families, they feel the positive impact of everything we do to improve the quality of life for people in the region. Our growth goes hand in hand with our commitment to sustainability. Proof of this is that at our plant in Kostinbrod, as well as the one in Bankya, we are now producing our beverages using 100% energy from renewable sources,” said Yavor Stefanov, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria.

The study also highlights a significant contribution to public finances. The Coca-Cola system in Bulgaria contributes 267 million euros in the form of direct and indirect taxes, including 133 million euros in VAT. This amount is equivalent to nearly 1% of the country’s tax revenue, about 54%* of government spending on culture, or the amount needed to fund the annual educational expenses of nearly 135,000 students in elementary school and preschool.**

The analysis also shows that in 2025, the Coca-Cola System purchased goods and services worth €114 million from local suppliers, thereby supporting the development of a broad network of Bulgarian companies across the entire value chain.