Bulgaria Trade Deficit Widens in January

Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 1,046.0 million in January 2026 from EUR 992.3 million in the same month last year, as exports fell while imports remained largely unchanged. Exports declined 1.4% year-on-year to EUR 3,327.0 million due to lower sales to non-EU countries (-9.0%), although shipments to the EU increased (2.3%). Meanwhile, imports edged up 0.1% to EUR 4,373.0 million, as increased purchases from non-EU countries (5.3%) offset a drop in imports from the EU (-4.0%).

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%.