Bulgaria Trade Deficit Widens in May

2026-07-10 08:18 By Nicole Aliyah 1 min. read

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%.



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