site.btaBulgarian Export Up by 16% in First Half of 2017

Sofia, August 9 (BTA) - Exports from Bulgaria increased by 15.8 per cent in the first half of 2017, year on year, to reach a value of 25,131 million leva, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute released Wednesday.

In June, the total export totalled 4,603 million leva which was 16.3 per cent up from this time last year.

In January-June, Bulgaria imported goods worth 28,437 million leva (at CIF prices) which was 18.8 per cent more than this time last year. In June, the total import increased by 13.1 per cent from this time last year to reach a total of 4,876 million leva.

The total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - import CIF) in January-June 2017 was negative, amounting to 3,306 million leva. At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of freight and insurance costs of imports), the total foreign trade balance remained negative, at 1,921.8 million leva.

In June, foreign trade continued to show a deficit of 272.8 million leva (at export FOB - import CIF) or 32.7 million leva (at FOB/FOB prices).

In January-May 2017, the Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 10.8 per cent from this time last year and amounted to 13,283 million leva. Imports grew by 13 per cent and added up to 14 912.7 million leva.

In May 2017, exports to the EU increased by 19.5 per cent from this time last year to reach 2,864.4 million leva while imports grew by 20 per cent and amounted to 3,154.2 million leva.

The total foreign trade balance with the EU (exports FOB - import CIF) in January-May 2017 was negative, amounting to 1,629.7 million leva. At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of freight and insurance costs of imports), the total foreign trade balance remained negative, at 914.2 million leva.

In January - June 2017, Bulgarian exports to third countries increased by 25.4 per cent from this time last year and amounted to 8,798.8 million leva while imports grew by 33 per cent and added up to 10,412.1 million leva.

In June 2017, the export to third countries picked up by 23.1 per cent from June 2016, to 1,554.4 million and the import increased by 25.1 per cent to 1,764.2 million leva.

The total foreign trade balance with third countries (exports FOB - import CIF) in January-June 2017 was negative, at 1,613.3 million leva. At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of freight and insurance costs of imports), the balance remained negative, at 209.8 million leva.