Bulgaria Trade Gap Hits New Peak

Bulgaria posted a trade deficit of BGN 2,909.1 million in December 2025, widening from BGN 1,653.6 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. This marked a fresh record-high deficit, as imports increased more than exports. Year-on-year, imports advanced by 17.3% to BGN 9,645.5 million, driven by higher purchases from both non-EU (30.7%) and EU countries (7.9%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a softer 2.5% to BGN 6,736.4 million, with shipments increasing to EU countries (6.5%), while sales declined to non-EU countries (-3.7%). Considering the full year of 2025, the country’s trade shortfall reached BGN 21,710.6 million, expanding sharply from BGN 12,864.5 million in the previous year.

Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to a new all-time high of BGN 2,541.5 million in November 2025 from BGN 1,779.4 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, as exports declined, while imports increased. Year-on-year, exports dropped by 4% to BGN 6.971.8 million, dragged down by lower shipments to both EU (-3.1%) and non-EU countries (-5.8%). Meanwhile, imports grew by 5.2% to BGN 9,513.3 million, with arrivals increasing from both EU (0.6%) and non-EU countries (12.4%). Considering the January to November period, the country’s trade shortfall expanded to BGN 18,801.5 million in the same month a year earlier, as exports fell by 3.7%, while imports advanced by 5.1%.

Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened significantly to BGN 2,366.5 million in October 2025 from BGN 1,740.5 million in the corresponding month last year. This marked the largest trade deficit since records began, as exports rose less than imports. Exports grew by 0.6% year-on-year to BGN 7,769.5 million, with shipments rising to EU countries (2.9%), while it declined for non-EU countries (-3.8%). Meanwhile, imports climbed 7.1% to BGN 10,136 million, driven by higher purchases from both EU (7.9%) and non-EU countries (6%). Considering the January to October period, the country’s trade shortfall expanded to BGN 16,260 million in the same month of the previous year, as exports dropped by 3.7%, while imports advanced 5.1%.