site.btaIncrease Reported in Bulgaria's Trade with EU Countries, Decrease in Trade with Third Countries in January-April

Sofia, June 11 (BTA) - Statistics released by the National Statistical Institute Monday showed a tangible increase in Bulgaria's trade with the EU and deceasing trade with non-EU countries. In January - March 2018, Bulgarian export to the EU increased by 13.1 per cent from this time last year and amounted to 8,960.7 million leva. The main trade partners were Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, France and Belgium accounting for 68.6 per cent of the exports to the EU.

In March 2018, exports to the EU grew by 7. 4 per cent from this month last year and amounted to 3,181.7 million leva.

The largest growth in Bulgarian export was seen in the following commodity groups: food and live animals with 42.9 per cent and crude materials, inedible (except fuels) with 25.7 per cent. A decline was seen in the export of mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials ( 26.7 per cent).

Bulgarian imports from the EU in January - March 2018 increased by 11.4 per cent from this time last year and totalled 9,803.5 million leva at CIF prices. The largest imports were from Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain and Greece.

In March 2018 Bulgarian imports from the EU grew by 9.9 per cent from this month last year and amounted to 3,657.9 million leva.

In January - March, the largest growth in imports from the EU was reported for crude materials, inedible (except fuels) with 36.4 per cent while the decrease was most visible for animals and vegetable oils, fats and waxes (10.3 per cent).

Bulgaria ran a deficit of 842.8 million leva (export FOB - import CIF) in its trade with the EU in January - Mach 2018. The deficit stood at 242.6 million leva at FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports).