SOFIA: Exports from Bulgaria to other EU member states increased by 12.2% between January and May compared to the same period of last year, according to preliminary data from the national statistics body.
The total volume amounted to BGN 11.6 B, with Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, Belgium and France remaining the country’s main trade partners.
Imports for the same period were up 8.0% compared to January-May 2014 and added up to BGN 13.3 B at CIF prices, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) reported on Monday.
Trade balance with the EU (export FOB – import CIF) was negative in the five months, adding up to BGN 1.678 B.
It was also negative (BGN 1.139 B) when calculated at FOB/FOB prices.
With non-EU countries, exports totalled BGN 6.779 B in the first five months of 2015 (10.4% up), Turkey, Russia, the US, China, Serbia, and Singapore being the biggest destinations.
Imports from non-EU countries amounted to BGN 7.762 B (1.1% down from January-May 2014). Russia is by far the biggest importer followed by Turkey, China, Ukraine, and Serbia.
“Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials” and “Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)” were the sections where the biggest growth in exports was posted – at 38.8% and 15.4% respectively. “Beverages and tobacco”, on the other hand, recorded a fall by 15.4%.
In terms of imports, “Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)” and “Beverages and tobacco) had the biggest growth, 16.5% and 14.9%. Imports in “Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials” dropped by 30.9%.
