FX.co ★ Bulgaria Trade Deficit Widens in May

In May 2025, Bulgaria's trade deficit expanded to BGN 1,081.2 million from BGN 1,033.0 million during the same period in the previous year, primarily due to a sharper decline in exports compared to imports. Export activities fell by 4.6% year-on-year, reaching BGN 6,517.5 million, largely influenced by a significant decrease in sales to EU countries, which plummeted by 7.2%. Conversely, there was a modest increase in exports to non-EU countries by 0.3%. On the import side, there was a 3.4% decrease to BGN 7,598.7 million, driven by a notable drop in acquisitions from non-EU countries, down by 15.6%, despite a 7.1% increase in imports from EU member states. Over the January to May timeframe, Bulgaria's trade deficit widened substantially to BGN 7,691.3 million from BGN 4,790.1 million recorded in the same period the previous year, due to a 4.7% decrease in exports alongside a 3.2% rise in imports.