Bulgaria: Bulgarian lawmakers have voted for an increase in beer and spirits excise duty. According to Novinte, as of January 2005, the rates will rise to BGN 1.5 per hectolitre of beer and to BGN 750 per hectolitre liquor. The increase will slightly jog beer prices, while liquor prices will jump up by some BGN 1 (approx EUR 0.5) per litre.

In 2003 Bulgaria produced 4.69 million hl of beer versus 3.94 million hl in 2002.

21 November, 2004