Markets in 2013, 35% of Bulgarian wine was sold within Bulgaria, reflecting a considerable increase in domestic wine consumption, although this has been slowed by economic difficulties. Despite this, some sort of wine culture has been developing. Bulgaria also has a strong spirits culture, especially for the local rakia, whose consumption still exceeds that of wine. Russia is still the leading export market, followed by Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania. In most markets Bulgarian producers are focusing on quality and at the expense of volume.
