Bulgaria Trade Deficit Widens in February

Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 810.7 million in February 2026 from EUR 484.1 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, as imports rose much faster than exports. Imports increased 8.2% year-on-year to EUR 4,357.8 million, driven by higher imports from both EU (3.3%) and non-EU countries (15.8%). Meanwhile, exports inched up 0.1% to EUR 3,547.1 million, reflecting a 4.9% rise in shipments to the EU, which was offset by an 8.0% decline in exports to non-EU countries. For the January-February period, the trade deficit expanded to EUR 1,856.7 million from EUR 1,476.4 million in the same period last year, as exports fell (-0.6%) while imports went up (4.0%).

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.