Bulgaria reports negative trade balance with EU, third countries

Bulgaria reported a negative foreign trade balance of more than 1.1 billion leva with other European Union countries for January to March 2014, and a negative trade balance with third countries of more than 1.4 billion leva for January to April 2014.

This is according to figures released on June 9 by Bulgaria’s National Statistical Institute (NSI).

In January to March 2014, Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 0.1 per cent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and amounted to 6.2 billion leva.

The main trade partners of Bulgaria were Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, France and Belgium which accounted for 72.5 per cent of exports to EU member states, the NSI said.

In March 2014, Bulgaria’s exports to the EU increased by 0.1 per cent compared to March 2013 and amounted to 2.2 billion leva.

The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB – import CIF) with the EU in the period January to March 2014 was negative and added up to 1 141.7 million leva, according to the NSI.

The NSI said that in January to April 2014, Bulgarian exports to third countries, meaning non-EU countries, decreased by 18.4 per cent compared January to April 2013 and amounted to 4.7 billion leva.

The main trade partners of Bulgaria among non-EU countries were Turkey, China, Russian Federation, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Macedonia which accounted for 54.3 per cent of exports to non-EU countries.

In April 2014 exports to third countries decreased by 22.4 per cent compared to April 2013 and amounted to 1.3 billion leva.

Bulgarian imports from third countries in the first four months of 2014 decreased by 6.8 per cent compared to the corresponding period of 2013 and added up to 6.1 billion leva (at CIF prices), the NSI said.

The largest amounts were reported for the goods imported from the Russian Federation, Turkey, China and Ukraine.

In April 2014 Bulgarian imports from third countries decreased by 4.1 per cent compared to April 2013 and amounted to 1.7 billion leva.

The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB – import CIF) with third countries for the period January to April 2014 was negative and added up to 1 416.1 million leva, the NSI said.

(Photo: Anton Lefterov)

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