Bulgaria Exports Imports

Bulgaria’s imports and exports rise by 19% and 23% respectively

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In first five months of 2021, Bulgaria exported goods worth a total of BGN 26,355.3 million, up 19.4%
compared to the same period of 2020, according to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute. In May 2021, exports decreased to BGN 5,084.70 m from BGN 5,753.70 m in April, but increased by 32.3% compared to May 2020.

The total value of all the goods imported in the country in the period January – May 2021 amounted to BGN 29,158.0 million (at CIF prices), or by 23.1% more than the same period of 2020. In May 2021, the total import of goods increased by 46.7% compared to the same month of the previous year and amounted to BGN 5,991.3 million.

In the period January – May 2021 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 12.1% in comparison with the same period of 2020 and added up to 8 742.1 Million BGN. Main trade partners of Bulgaria were Turkey, China, the United States, Serbia, the United Kingdom, the Republic of North Macedonia and the Russian Federation, which accounted for 56.0% of the exports to non EU countries. In May 2021 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries grew by 34.4% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 1 725.2 Million BGN.

Bulgaria Exports
(Source: Bulgaria’s National Statistical Institute)

Imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries in the period January – May 2021 increased by 20.2% in comparison with the same period of 2020 and added up to 11 280.7 Million BGN. The largest amounts were reported for the goods imported from Turkey, the Russian Federation, China and Ukraine. In May 2021 the imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries grew by 41.2% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 2 310.8 Million BGN.

The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB – import CIF) with third countries in the period January – May 2021 was negative and added up to 2 538.6 Million BGN. In May 2021 the foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB – import CIF) with third countries was also negative and amounted to 585.6 Million BGN.

Bulgarian Imports
(Source: Bulgaria’s National Statistical Institute)

In the period January – April 2021 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 21.7% compared to the same period of 2020 and amounted to BGN 14 253.7 million. Main trade partners of Bulgaria were Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, Belgium and France which accounted for 70.9% of the exports to the EU Member States.

Meanwhile, imports of goods to Bulgaria from the EU grew by 19.8% and reached BGN 14 196.8 million. The largest amounts were reported for the goods imported from Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, Hungary and the Netherlands.

In April 2021 the exports to the EU increased by 59.7% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to BGN3 904.2 million while the imports grew by 56.7% and added up to BGN3 596.7 million.

The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB – import CIF) with the EU in the period January – April 2021 was positive and added up to BGN 56.9 million.