site.btaJanuary-May 2017 Sees 15.7 Per Cent Growth of Exports from Bulgaria, Year on Year

Sofia, July 11 (BTA) - The value of all goods exported to Bulgaria (to third countries and the EU) amounted to 20,522.5 million leva in the January-May 2017 period, increasing by 15.7 per cent from the like period of 2016. During the same five-month period of 2017, imports in Bulgaria from all countries totalled 23,558.2 million leva (at CIF prices), up 20.1 per cent year on year, the National Statistical Institute reported.

In the January-April 2017 period, Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 8.6 per cent from the same period of 2016 and reached 10,418.6 million leva. Bulgaria's main export markets in this group were Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, France and Belgium, which accounted for 68.7 per cent of the exports to EU Member States.

Between January and April 2017, Bulgarian imports from the EU increased by 11.3 per cent from the like period of 2016 and added up to 11,758.5 million leva (at CIF prices). The largest amounts of goods were imported from Germany, Romania, Italy, Spain and Greece.

In the January-May 2017 period, Bulgarian exports to third countries increased by 26.0 per cent from the respective five-month period of the previous year and amounted to 7,244.4 million leva. Bulgaria's main export markets in this group were Turkey, China, Russia, Egypt, Serbia and Macedonia, which accounted for 51.5 per cent of exports to non-EU countries.

Between January and May 2017, Bulgarian imports from third countries increased by 34.8 per cent in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year and added up to 8,647.9 million leva (at CIF prices). The largest amounts were imported from Russia, Turkey, China and Serbia.

The total foreign trade balance (exports FOB - import CIF) was negative in the January-May 2017 period and amounted to 3,035.7 million leva. At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of freight and insurance costs on imports), the total foreign trade balance was also negative in that period and added up to 1,882.5 million leva.

Bulgaria's foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) with the EU in the January-April 2017 period was negative and added up to 1,339.9 million leva. At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of freight and insurance costs on imports), the trade balance with the EU was also negative and amounted to 772.8 million leva.

Bulgaria's foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries in the January-May 2017 period was negative and added up to 1,403.5 million leva. At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of freight and insurance costs on imports), the trade balance was also negative and amounted to 974.9 million leva.