Bulgaria Trade Gap Largest in 3 Months

Bulgaria recorded a trade deficit of BGN 1,590.8 million in July 2025, widening sharply from BGN 544.7 million in the same month last year. This also marked the largest deficit since April, as exports dropped more than imports. Year-on-year, exports declined by 13.2% to BGN 7,164 million, with outbound shipments plunging 21.1% to EU and rising just 1% to non-EU countries. Meanwhile, imports fell at a softer 0.5% to BGN 8,754.8 million, primarily due to lower purchases from non-EU countries (-3%), while imports increased from EU countries (1.5%). In the January to July period, the country’s trade shortfall expanded to BGN 10,545.3 million from BGN 6,044.9 million in the corresponding period of the previous year, as exports decreased by 4.8%, while imports went up by 3.6%.