Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 957.9 million in May 2026, compared with EUR 532.7 million in the same month a year earlier. Imports climbed 17.4% year-on-year to EUR 4,675.9 million, reflecting stronger demand for goods from both EU (+6.1%) and non-EU (+34.6%) countries. Purchases of crude materials recorded the sharpest increase (+58.8%), followed by mineral fuels and related products (+39.6%). Exports also increased, rising 7.8% to EUR 3,718.0 million, as shipments to the EU (+11.9%) and non-EU markets (+0.7%) expanded. The strongest export growth was seen in fats, oils, and waxes of animal and vegetable origin (+50.1%), while exports of mineral fuels and related products rose 52.6%. During the January-May 2026 period, the country posted a cumulative trade deficit of EUR 5,402.1 million, compared with EUR 3,935.9 million in the same period a year earlier, with exports rose 7.4%, while imports increased 12.8%. source: National Statistical Institute, Bulgaria

Bulgaria recorded a trade deficit of 957.90 EUR Million in May of 2026. Balance of Trade in Bulgaria averaged -553.73 EUR Million from 2020 until 2026, reaching an all time high of -37.70 EUR Million in April of 2020 and a record low of -1483.80 EUR Million in December of 2025. This page provides - Bulgaria Balance of Trade - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Bulgaria Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2026.

Bulgaria recorded a trade deficit of 957.90 EUR Million in May of 2026. Balance of Trade in Bulgaria is expected to be -1000.00 EUR Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Bulgaria Balance of Trade is projected to trend around -1650.00 EUR Million in 2027 and -1690.00 EUR Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-11 08:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Apr €-1292.2M €-1422.6M €-1680.0M
2026-07-10 08:00 AM
Balance of Trade
May €-957.9M €-1292.2M €-1300.0M
2026-08-12 08:00 AM
Balance of Trade
Jun €-957.9M €-1010.0M


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade -957.90 -1292.20 EUR Million May 2026
Capital Flows -946.50 -800.20 EUR Million May 2026
Current Account -597.80 -1224.80 EUR Million May 2026
Current Account to GDP -5.70 -0.50 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 3718.00 3959.10 EUR Million May 2026
Exports by Category
Exports by Country
External Debt 66718.30 69264.50 EUR Million Apr 2026
Foreign Direct Investment 254.00 210.90 EUR Million May 2026
Gold Reserves 41.04 42.93 Tonnes Mar 2026
Imports 4675.90 5251.30 EUR Million May 2026
Imports by Category
Imports by Country
Natural Gas Imports 0.00 63750.28 Terajoule Jun 2026
Remittances 146.20 128.60 EUR Million May 2026
Terrorism Index 0.00 0.00 Points Dec 2025
Tourist Arrivals YoY 1424123.00 1021842.00 Jun 2026
Weapons Sales 33.00 19.00 SIPRI TIV Million Dec 2024


Bulgaria Balance of Trade
Bulgaria exports mostly fuels, manufactured goods (clothing, footwear), machinery and transport equipment and chemicals. Bulgaria's main exports partners are Germany,Turkey, Italy, Greece and Romania. Bulgaria imports fuels, machinery and transport equipment, metals, raw materials. Bulgaria's main imports partners are Russia, Germany, Romania and Italy.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-957.90 -1292.20 -37.70 -1483.80 2020 - 2026 EUR Million Monthly

News Stream
Bulgaria Trade Deficit Widens in May
Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 957.9 million in May 2026, compared with EUR 532.7 million in the same month a year earlier. Imports climbed 17.4% year-on-year to EUR 4,675.9 million, reflecting stronger demand for goods from both EU (+6.1%) and non-EU (+34.6%) countries. Purchases of crude materials recorded the sharpest increase (+58.8%), followed by mineral fuels and related products (+39.6%). Exports also increased, rising 7.8% to EUR 3,718.0 million, as shipments to the EU (+11.9%) and non-EU markets (+0.7%) expanded. The strongest export growth was seen in fats, oils, and waxes of animal and vegetable origin (+50.1%), while exports of mineral fuels and related products rose 52.6%. During the January-May 2026 period, the country posted a cumulative trade deficit of EUR 5,402.1 million, compared with EUR 3,935.9 million in the same period a year earlier, with exports rose 7.4%, while imports increased 12.8%.
2026-07-10
Bulgaria Trade Deficit Widens in April
Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 1,292.2 million in April 2026 from EUR 928.1 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. Imports jumped 18.8% year-on-year to EUR 5,251.3 million, driven by higher purchases from both EU (+1.4%) and non-EU (+42.3%) countries. The largest increase in imports was recorded in mineral fuels and related products (+43.5%). Meanwhile, exports advanced 13.4% to EUR 3,959.1 million, supported by stronger sales to both EU (+11.3%) and non-EU (+17.1%) countries. The largest increase in exports was recorded in fats, oils, and waxes of animal and vegetable origin (+90.0%). During the January–April 2026 period, the country posted a cumulative trade deficit of EUR 4,444.2 million, compared with EUR 3,403.2 million in the same period a year earlier, with exports rose 7.3%, while imports increased 11.8%.
2026-06-11
Bulgaria Trade Deficit Largest in 3 Months
Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 1,426.2 million in March 2026 from EUR 998.7 million in the same month of the previous year. It marked the largest trade shortfall since December 2025, as exports climbed 12% year-on-year to a twenty-month high of EUR 4.095 million, mainly due to higher sales to both EU (15.3%) and non-EU (6%) countries. Meanwhile, imports soared 18.6% to an all-time high of EUR 5.521 million, primarily attributed to increased purchases from EU (19.5%) and non-EU (17.5%) countries. During the first quarter of 2026, the country posted a total trade deficit of EUR 3.283 million, compared to EUR 2.475 million from the corresponding period of the previous year, with exports rising 3.7% while imports climbing 9.2%.
2026-05-13