Bulgaria Trade Deficit Smallest in One Year

Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 678.7 million in August 2026 from EUR 550.5 million in the same month a year earlier. Still, it marked the smallest trade shortfall since August 2025, as exports rose 20.68% year-on-year to EUR 4,032.2 million, driven by stronger sales to EU countries, which increased 25.63%, and non-EU markets, which grew 12.68%. Meanwhile, imports climbed 21.32% to EUR 4,710.9 million, driven by higher purchases from non-EU countries, which rose 36.81%, and EU countries, which increased 8.97%. In the first eight months of 2026, Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 8,073.7 million from EUR 5,920.4 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 1,026.9 million in July 2026, compared with EUR 838.8 million in the same month a year earlier. Imports climbed 8.5% year-on-year to EUR 5,089.9 million, reflecting stronger demand for goods from both EU (+5.0%) and non-EU (+13.0%) countries. Imports from non-EU countries increased most notably from Türkiye (+35.5%), China (+49.0%), and Kazakhstan (+37.8%). Purchases of crude materials recorded the sharpest increase (+72.9%), followed by mineral fuels and related products (+38.9%). Exports also increased, rising 5.5% to EUR 4,063.0 million, supported by stronger shipments to the EU (+19.4%), despite a decline in exports to non-EU markets (-14.2%). During the January-July 2026 period, the country posted a cumulative trade deficit of EUR 7,395.0 million, compared with EUR 5,378.6 million a year earlier, as exports rose 8.5%, while imports increased 13.7%.

Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 1,010.7 million in June 2026 from EUR 575.9 million in the corresponding month a year earlier. Imports rose 22.1% year-on-year to EUR 5,175.5 million, driven by higher purchases from both the EU (9.6%) and non-EU countries (40.4%). Meanwhile, exports increased 13.7% to EUR 4,164.8 million, supported by sales to the EU (15.8%) and non-EU markets (10.1%). Over the first six months of the year, imports climbed 14.4% to EUR 29,381.2 million, with purchases rising from Kazakhstan (38.9%), Turkey (36.9%), and China (64.7%). Imports increased across raw materials excluding fuels (79.9%), mineral fuels, oils, and similar products (44.7%), and machinery, equipment, and vehicles (26.9%). Meanwhile, exports rose 8.5% to EUR 22,968.4 million, with shipments growing to China (55%), Serbia (14.1%), and the United Kingdom (35%). Sales increased for chemical substances and products (17.1%), and miscellaneous finished products (10%).