Timber Exports and Imports

Bulgaria exports a variety of timber products to foreign countries. Turkey buys mostly softwood, both raw and manufactured, as well as firewood and charcoal. France, Germany, and Belgium require hardwood, while Egypt imports planks.

Bulgaria also imports softwood, both raw and manufactured, along with furniture and casks, mainly from Austria-Hungary, Germany, Belgium, and France. These figures are based on trade statistics from 1898 to 1902.

Timber Manufacturing in Bulgaria

Strictly speaking, Bulgaria has very little timber manufacturing. Some exceptions include:

Steam factories for doors, windows, and parquet:

Mr. Ilia Kisseloff at Kritchbim

Mr. Srebemicoff at Dolna Bania

Match factory at Kostenetz Bania, started by a foreign company

Timber-yards for planks:

Brothers Ivanoff at Belovo

Brothers Balabanoff in the Rilo Monastery forests

Other yards at Bourgas, Roustchouk, and Varna

Timber-Yards in the Forests

Most timber-yards in Bulgaria are primitive and operate only during certain months when streams provide water power. They saw planks of different qualities, but the annual production rarely exceeds 600–700 cubic meters Balkan Tours.

Rhodopes and Rilo districts: about 500 timber-yards, mainly producing softwood

Stara-Planina mountains: about 150 timber-yards, mainly producing hardwood

There are also workshops making wooden utensils like platters, lids, mortars, and bowls, especially in Sevlievo and Gabrovo.

Model Workshop

A model workshop was established in 1904 on State property in Liga, Gabrovo, owned by Mr. Ouzounoff. This workshop serves as an example for modern timber processing and the production of household wooden items.