12.11.2021

BULGARIA'S EXPORTS TO THE EU AND THIRD COUNTRIES INCREASED BY OVER 22% IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS

During the period January - August 2021, the export of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 23.5% compared to the same period in 2020 and amounted to BGN 28.795 billion. Bulgaria's main trade partners are Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, France and Belgium, which account for 69.6% of exports to the bloc's countries, according to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

In August 2021, exports to the EU increased by 26.6% compared to the same month of the previous year and amounted to BGN 3.537 billion.

In the period January - August 2021 in the export of goods from Bulgaria to the EU, distributed according to the Standard Foreign Trade Classification, the highest growth compared to the same period in 2020 was observed in the sectors "Animal and vegetable fats, oils and waxes origin" (136.4%) and "Unprocessed (raw) materials unfit for human consumption (excl. fuels)" (28.4%). A decrease was observed only in the sector "Soft and alcoholic beverages and tobacco" (13.8%).

Imports of goods to Bulgaria from the EU in the period January - August 2021 increased by 25% compared to the same period in 2020 and amounted to BGN 29.026 billion (at CIF prices). The largest is the value of goods imported from Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and Hungary.

In August 2021 the imports of Bulgaria from the EU countries increased by 23% compared to the same month of the previous year and amounted to 3.475 Billion BGN.

In the import of goods from the EU, distributed according to the Standard Foreign Trade Classification, in the period January - August 2021 the largest increase compared to the same period of the previous year was reported in the sector "Fats, oils and waxes of animal and vegetable origin" (121.8%). No decline was observed in any of the sectors.

The foreign trade balance (exports FOB - imports CIF) of Bulgaria with the EU in the period January - August 2021 is negative and amounts to BGN 231 million.

During the period January - September 2021, exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 20.3% compared to the same period in 2020 and amounted to BGN 16.727 billion. Bulgaria's main trade partners are Turkey, China, the United States, Serbia, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which account for 57.9% of exports to third countries.

In September 2021 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 18.8% compared to the same month of the previous year and amounted to 2.029 Billion BGN.

During the period January - September 2021 in the export of goods from Bulgaria to third countries, distributed according to the Standard Foreign Trade Classification, the largest growth compared to the same period in 2020 was observed in the sectors "Mineral fuels, oils and similar products" (37.3%) and " Unprocessed (raw) materials, unfit for consumption (excluding fuels)”.

A decrease was observed only in the sector "Soft and alcoholic beverages and tobacco" (17.5%).

Imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries in the period January - September 2021 increased by 27.2% compared to the same period in 2020 and amounted to BGN 21.685 billion (at CIF prices). The largest is the value of goods imported from Turkey, the Russian Federation, China and Ukraine.

In September 2021 the imports of goods in Bulgaria from third countries increased by 16.2% compared to the same month of the previous year and amounted to 2.429 Billion BGN.

In the import of goods from third countries, distributed according to the Standard Foreign Trade Classification, in the period January - September 2021 the largest increase compared to the same period in 2020 was reported in the sectors "Mineral fuels, oils and related products" (63.4 %) and "Miscellaneous manufactured articles nec" (31.6%). No decline was observed in any sector.

The foreign trade balance (exports FOB - imports CIF) of Bulgaria with third countries in the period January - September 2021 is negative and amounts to BGN 4.957 billion.

In September 2021, the foreign trade balance (exports FOB - imports CIF) with third countries was also negative and amounted to 400 Million BGN.

In the period January - September 2021 a total of goods worth BGN 49.468 billion were exported from Bulgaria, which is 22.4% more than in the same period of 2020. In September 2021 the total exports of goods amounted to 5.975 billion and increased by 22.3% compared to the same month of the previous year.

During the period January - September 2021, a total of BGN 54.871 billion worth of goods were imported into the country (at CIF prices), or by 26% more compared to the same period of 2020. In September 2021, the total imports of goods increased by 22,9% compared to the same month of the previous year and amounts to BGN 6.59 billion.

The total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - imports CIF) was negative in the period January - September 2021 and amounted to 5.403 billion levs. In September 2021 the total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - imports CIF) was also negative and amounted to 614.4 Million BGN.