The value of exports by Bulgarian companies to European Union markets – which account for about 70% of total sales – is recovering steadily. In July year-over-year growth was nearly 20% though this is largely due to the double-digit decline reported by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) in the summer of 2025.
The 19.4% increase in exports to the EU offset the significant decline in exports to third countries (14.2%). Thus Bulgaria’s total export value for the month increased by 5.5% but lagged significantly behind imports (+8.5%), meaning that foreign trade made a negative contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
When the data for the first seven months of the year are aggregated the figures show annual export growth of 8.5% and import growth of 13.7%. The trade deficit for the period now stands at €7.4 billion – more than the figure reported in July 2025 (-€5.4 billion). As a reminder a trade deficit of €10.8 billion was recorded for the entire previous year. If the trend observed during the first seven months continues through December this record-breaking deficit is likely to worsen.
Detailed data for July is available only for trade with third countries, while figures for the EU will be published next month. The available figures show that for the January - July period the highest year-over-year growth was recorded in sales in the “Mineral Fuels, Oils and Related Products” sector (42.3%), which is mainly due to higher prices for oil and petroleum products caused by the US and Israel’s war against Iran. The largest decline was observed in the “Food and Live Animals” sector (15.8%).
Imports of goods into Bulgaria from third countries for the same period increased by 24% compared to 2025, totaling €15.86 billion (at CIF prices). The largest volume of goods by value was imported from Turkey, China, Kazakhstan and Serbia. The largest increase in the value of imports was recorded in the sector “Unprocessed (raw) materials, unfit for consumption (excluding fuels)” (72.9%). No decline was observed in any of the sectors.
Bulgaria’s negative foreign trade balance (FOB exports minus CIF imports) with third countries for the period January - July 2026 was €6.41 billion – or 87% of the country’s total negative balance.
Georgi Zhelyazkov 
