Bulgaria’s trade deficit widened to EUR 1,292.2 million in April 2026, up from EUR 928.1 million in the same month a year earlier. Imports surged by 18.8% year-on-year to EUR 5,251.3 million, driven by higher inflows from both EU countries (+1.4%) and non-EU partners (+42.3%). The sharpest rise in imports was recorded in mineral fuels and related products, which jumped by 43.5%.
Exports also grew robustly, rising 13.4% to EUR 3,959.1 million, supported by stronger sales to both EU markets (+11.3%) and non-EU destinations (+17.1%). The largest increase in exports was seen in fats, oils, and waxes of animal and vegetable origin, which soared by 90.0%.
Over the January–April 2026 period, Bulgaria recorded a cumulative trade deficit of EUR 4,444.2 million, compared with EUR 3,403.2 million in the same period of the previous year. During this interval, exports rose by 7.3%, while imports climbed by 11.8%.
