The decline of Bulgarian industry is accelerating again

Bulgarian industry has accelerated its decline again, according to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI) for June. According to the data, the industrial production index fell by 8.2% in June after a 6% decline in May (initially reported as 6.6%).

On a monthly basis, the indicator contracted again, but by 1.7%, after a monthly increase of 0.7% in May.

Details by sector and subsector

• Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply – down 17.6%;
• Manufacturing – down 7.1%;
• Mining and quarrying – up 27.5%.

Significant declines were reported in:

• Manufacture of basic metals - 41.8%;
• Manufacture of textiles and textile products, except clothing - 27.7%;
• Manufacture of paper, paperboard and paper products - 22.3%.

Significant growth was reported in:

• Manufacture of tobacco products - 67%;
• Manufacture of medicinal substances and products - 14.9%;
• Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products - 13.9%.

As Economic.bg wrote, over the past two years, the indicator has followed an almost uninterrupted downward trajectory. At the end of 2024, the index recorded several increases, but in January 2025 it returned to a series of declines, fueled by the sluggish trade activity of Bulgaria's leading partners, as highlighted in a number of studies and bulletins by the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB).

Translated with DeepL.