Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 1,010.7 million in June 2026, up from EUR 575.9 million in the same month a year earlier. Imports rose by 22.1% year-on-year to EUR 5,175.5 million, driven by stronger purchases from both EU partners (up 9.6%) and non-EU countries (up 40.4%). Exports also increased, rising 13.7% to EUR 4,164.8 million, supported by higher sales to the EU (up 15.8%) and to non-EU markets (up 10.1%).
Over the first six months of the year, imports climbed 14.4% to EUR 29,381.2 million, reflecting increased purchases from Kazakhstan (up 38.9%), Turkey (up 36.9%), and China (up 64.7%). Import growth was broad-based, with notable increases in raw materials excluding fuels (up 79.9%), mineral fuels, oils, and related products (up 44.7%), and machinery, equipment, and vehicles (up 26.9%).
During the same period, exports rose 8.5% to EUR 22,968.4 million. Shipments to China grew by 55%, to Serbia by 14.1%, and to the United Kingdom by 35%. By product category, export growth was led by chemical substances and products (up 17.1%) and miscellaneous finished products (up 10%).
