Imports increase by 14.3%
TRADE IN GOODS WITH THE EU MEMBER STATES - INTRASTAT, AND FOREIGN TRADE TURNOVER OF BULGARIA - PRELIMINARY DATA - AUGUST 2026
In the period January - August 2026, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 13.2% in comparison with the same period of 2025 and amounted to 20 289.2 million EUR. The main trade partners of Bulgaria were Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece and France, which accounted for 68.1% of the exports to the EU Member States.
In the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, the most notable growth was recorded in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (49.7%) (Annex, Table 4). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Miscellaneous manufactured articles’ (19.6%).
In August 2026, the exports to the EU increased by 25.6% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 2 594.6 million EUR.
The imports of goods to Bulgaria from the EU in the period January - August 2026 increased by 6.4% in comparison with the same period of 2025 and amounted to 21 032.7 million EUR (at CIF prices). The largest amounts were reported for the goods imported from Germany, Romania, Greece, Italy and the Netherlands.
In the imports of goods to Bulgaria from the EU Member States, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, the largest growth was recorded in the section ‘Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)’ (9.8%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Beverages and tobacco‘ (3.8%).
In August 2026, the imports from the EU grew by 9.0% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and reached 2 354.5 million EUR.
The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with the EU in the period January - August 2026 was negative and added up to 743.5 million EUR.
In the period January - August 2026 the total value of all the goods exported from Bulgaria amounted to 31 176.8 million EUR, which was 10.0% more than the same period of the previous year.
In August 2026, the total exports of goods added up to 4 032.2 million EUR and increased by 20.7% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.
The total value of all the goods imported into the country in the period January - August 2026 amounted to 39 250.5 million EUR (at CIF prices), or 14.5% more than the same period of 2025.
In August 2026, the total imports of goods increased by 21.3% compared to the same month of the previous year and added up to 4 710.9 million EUR.
The total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - imports CIF) was negative in the period January - August 2026 and amounted to 8 073.7 million EUR.
TRADE IN GOODS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES - EXTRASTAT - PRELIMINARY DATA - SEPTEMBER 2026
In the period January - September 2026, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 6.2% in comparison with the same period of 2025 and added up to 12 413.2 million EUR. The main trade partners of Bulgaria were Türkiye, the United States, Serbia, China, the United Kingdom, the Republic of North Macedonia and Georgia, which accounted for 46.5% of the exports to non-EU countries.
In September 2026, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 20.8% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 1 525.6 million EUR.
In the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, the most notable growth was recorded in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (86.7%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Beverages and tobacco’ (6.2%).
The imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries in the period January - September 2026 increased by 25.5% in comparison with the same period of 2025 and added up to 20 700.3 million EUR (at CIF prices). The largest amounts were reported for the goods imported from Türkiye, China, Kazakhstan and Serbia.
In September 2026, the imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries increased by 25.3% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 2 482.5 million EUR.
In the imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, the largest growth was recorded in the section ‘Crude materials, inedible (except fuel) (68.7%). No fall was reported in any of the sections.
The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (exports FOB - imports CIF) with third countries in the period January - September 2026 was negative and added up to 8 287.1 million EUR.
In September 2026, the foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries was also negative and amounted to 956.9 million EUR.
TRADE IN GOODS OF BULGARIA WITH THIRD COUNTRIES AND THE EU - TOTAL
In the period January - September 2026, the total value of all the goods exported from Bulgaria amounted to 35 599.3 million EUR, which was 11.3% more than the same period of the previous year.
In September 2026, the total exports of goods added up to 4 422.5 million EUR and increased by 21.4% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.
The total value of all the goods imported into the country in the period January - September 2026 amounted to 44 565.2 million EUR (at CIF prices), or 14.5% more than the same period of 2025.
In September 2026, the total imports of goods increased by 14.3% compared to the same month of the previous year and added up to 5 314.7 million EUR.
The total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - imports CIF) was negative in the period January - September 2026 and amounted to 8 965.9 million EUR.
In September 2026, the total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - import CIF) was also negative and added up to 892.2 million EUR.
