Challenges of development of the processed food industry of Bulgaria in the context of European integration

The subject of this research is the analysis of competitiveness of the Bulgarian food industry on the international market, with the aim of identifying changes in the export structure of products classified according to commodity groups (SITC Rev.3). In other words, the goal was to point out the sectors which are developing faster and have positive tendencies and influence on the overall competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy. The research used descriptive statistical data processing, the index of comparative advantage of exports - RCA and the index of specialization in foreign trade - GL index. The research results showed that in the analyzed period there were significant changes in the structure of exports, so the groups with leading positions in the initial year of analysis lost their position and were replaced by products of other commodity groups. An increase in the comparative advantage of exports was also confirmed in: Vegetable fats and oils; Cereals and other cereal products; Essential oils, perfumery; Meat and edible leftovers; Rice; Sugar, molasses and honey; etc. It was also established that the products with a pronounced intra-industrial character of exchange in 2017 were: Fruit and vegetable juices; Sugar products; Meat and edible residues; Bird eggs and yolks, egg whites; Butter and other fats obtained from milk, milk spreads, etc