site.btaBulgaria's Total Exports Down 1.6% in January-March 2016

Bulgaria's Total Exports Down 1.6% in  January-March 2016

Sofia, May 10 (BTA) - In the first quarter of 2016, the value of Bulgaria's exports amounted to 10,590 million leva, down 1.6 per cent compared to the like period of 2015, according to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

March exports totalled 3,677.4 million leva, down 6.8 per cent on a year earlier.

In January-March 2016, imports totalled 11,482.8 million leva (at CIF prices), down 6.8 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2015.

March imports dropped by 5.4 per cent from a year earlier to 4,195.7 million leva.

The total foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) was in a deficit of 892.8 million leva. The January-March trade balance at FOB/FOB prices (after eliminating transport and insurance costs on imports) was negative at 169.9 million leva.

In March the total foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) was negative at 518.3 million leva. The trade balance at FOB/FOB prices was negative at 289.3 million leva.

In January-February 2016, Bulgaria's exports to the EU increased by 2 per cent from a year earlier to 4,552.9 million leva, NSI preliminary data show.

In February alone, exports to the EU stood at 2,290.2 million leva, 5.7 per cent more than a year earlier.

January-February imports from the EU totalled 4,860.5 million leva, down 1.5 per cent on a year earlier.

In February alone, Bulgaria imported goods worth 2,597 million leva (at CIF prices) from the EU Member States, down 1 per cent on a year earlier.

In January-February, Bulgaria's foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) with the EU was negative at 307.6 million leva. The trade balance at FOB/FOB prices (after eliminating transport and insurance costs on imports) was also negative at 22.9 million leva.

In January-March 2016, Bulgaria's exports to third countries decreased by 8.8 per cent on 2015 to 3,533 million leva, preliminary data show.

In March alone, Bulgaria's exports to third countries decreased by 23 per cent on a year earlier to 1,173.5 million leva.

Bulgaria's imports from third countries in January-March 2016 decreased by 19.2 per cent from the like period of 2015 to 3,638.1 million leva (at CIF prices). The main suppliers were Russia, Turkey, China and Ukraine.

In March, Bulgaria's imports from third countries dropped by 21.9 per cent from a year earlier to 1,211.5 million leva.

In the first quarter of 2016, Bulgaria's foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries was negative at 104.9 million leva. The trade balance at FOB/FOB prices (after eliminating transport and insurance costs on imports) was positive at 138.3 million leva.

In March alone, Bulgaria's foreign trade balance (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries was negative at 38 million leva.