Our exports increased by one fifth for the first 6 months of the year

Bulgaria's exports increased by one-fifth within the first 6 months of the year, according to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute. For the period January-June our country has exported goods worth a total of nearly BGN 31.997 billion, which is an increase of 20.8% compared to the same period in 2020.

Imports are growing even more. For the first half of the year it is a little over BGN 35.606 billion, which is 24.8 percent more than in the first half of last year.

Thus, our total foreign trade balance was negative in the period January - June 2021 and amounted to BGN 3.61 billion.

Bulgarian exports are dominated by exports to EU countries. To them for the five months (currently available data in the NSI on this item do not specifically cover the other Member States - ed. Note) our country has exported goods worth BGN 17.617 billion, which is an increase of 23.4% compared to January-May 2020 Bulgaria's main trade partners in terms of exports are Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, Belgium and France, which form 70.5% of our exports to EU countries. It is interesting to note that in terms of our exports in none of the sectors there is no decline, and the largest increase is recorded in "Fats, oils and waxes of animal and vegetable origin" (153.2%) and "Raw (crude) materials unfit for consumption (excluding fuels) ”(39.4%).

Against this background, for the first six months Bulgarian exports to third countries grew by 14.4 percent, reaching just over BGN 10.58 billion. Of these, 56% fell on 7 countries, which form the group of Bulgaria's main trading partners outside the EU. These are Turkey, China, the United States, Serbia, Great Britain, Northern Macedonia and Russia. The largest growth compared to the first half of 2020 is observed in the sectors "Raw materials (raw), unfit for consumption (excluding fuels)" (28.2%) and "Articles classified mainly by type of material" ( 27.2%). The most serious decline in our exports to third countries is in "Soft and alcoholic beverages and tobacco" (24.2%).

Imports of goods to Bulgaria from other Member States between January and May 2021 increased by 25% compared to the same period in 2020 and amounted to over BGN 17.879 billion. As the largest trade partner of our country, as in exports, Germany stands out. It is followed by Romania, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and Hungary.

With regard to our imports from non-EU countries in the period January - June 2021, an increase of 24.2% is reported compared to the first half of 2020. The total value of imported goods amounts to nearly BGN 13.971 billion. Our foreign trade with the EU, as well as here the main trade partner of our country in both exports and imports, is the same country - in this case Turkey. Russia, China and Ukraine follow it in terms of the largest volume of imports in Bulgaria.