In January-May 2021, Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 23 per cent from this time last year, reaching a total of BGN 17,616.9 million, according to snap statistics by the National Statistical Institute. In May alone, the exports to the EU increased by over a third, 31.4 per cent, from this time last year, to a total of BGN 3,363.2 million.
EU exports to Bulgaria in January-May 2021 went up by 25 per cent from the same period of 2020, reaching BGN 17,879.5 million. Value-wise, the biggest imports were from Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and Hungary. In May alone, the exports grew by 50.4 per cent from this time last year, reaching BGN 3,682.7 million.
Bulgaria ran a deficit of BGN 262.6 million (FOD export - CIF import) in its foreign trade in January-May.
Trade with third countries
The Bulgarian exports to third countries (non-EU members) increased by 14.4 per cent from a year earlier, to a total of BGN 10,580.7 million. In June alone, the exports to these countries grew by 26.8 per cent to BGN 1,838.6 million.
Imports from third countries in January-June 2021 rose by 24.2 per cent from this time last year to BGN 13,970.7 million. The biggest imports were from Turkey, the Russian Federation, China and Ukraine. In June alone, imports grew by 44 per cent to BGN 2,690 million.
Trade with third countries showed a deficit of BGN 3,390 million for Bulgaria in January-June, including a deficit of BGN 851.4 million in June alone.