In the period January – May 2019 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 14.4% in comparison with the same period of the previous year and added up to 7 390.3 Million BGN.
The main trade partners of Bulgaria were Turkey, China, Serbia, the United States, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of North Macedonia which accounted for 50.9% of the exports to non-EU countries. In May 2019 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 13.0% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 1 470.2 Million BGN.
In the period January – May 2019 in the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, the most notable growths compared to the same period of the previous year were recorded in sections ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials (58.2%) and ‘Animals and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (31.8%). The most notable fall was reported in section ‘Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material’ 2 (10.0%).
Imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries in the period January – May 2019 increased by 5.6% in comparison with the same period of 2018 and added up to 8 986.2 Million BGN (at CIF prices).
The largest amounts were reported for the goods imported from the Russian Federation, Turkey, China, and Serbia. In May 2019 the imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries decreased by 7.3% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 1 669.9 Million BGN.
In the period January – May 2019 in the imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification the largest growths compared to the same period of the previous year were recorded in the section ‘Animals and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (28.6%) and ‘Food and live animals (22.0%). The most notable fall was observed in sector ‘Machinery and transport equipment (1.2%).
The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB – import CIF) with third countries in the period January – May 2019 was negative and added up to 1 595.9 Million BGN. The trade balance at FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports) was also negative and amounted to 818.9 Million BGN. In May 2019 the foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB – import CIF) with third countries was negative and amounted to 199.7 Million BGN.
In the period January – May 2019 the total value of all the goods exported from Bulgaria amounted to 23 308.5 Million BGN which is 9.1% more than the same period of the previous year.
In May 2019 the total exports of goods added up to 4 639.3 Million BGN and increased by 7.3% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.
The total value of all the goods imported in the country in the period January – May 2019 amounted to 25 747.0 Million BGN (at CIF prices), or by 3.5% more than the same period of 2018. In May 2019 the total imports of goods decreased by 0.6% compared to the same month of the previous year and added up to 5 133.1 Million BGN.