Bulgaria has reported a robust growth in its export sector, with total exports amounting to €18.8 billion during the first five months of 2026. This marks a 7.4% rise compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, based on preliminary official data. However, the growth in imports has outpaced that of exports, climbing by 12.8% year-on-year to reach €24.2 billion in the January to May period.
Focusing on the month of May alone, Bulgaria’s exports saw a 7.8% increase, totaling €3.72 billion. Meanwhile, imports surged by 17.4%, reaching €4.68 billion. This significant increase in imports relative to exports has contributed to a substantial trade deficit for the month.
As a result of these trends, Bulgaria recorded a trade deficit of €5.4 billion in the initial five months of 2026. The trade balance for May specifically remained in the negative, with the deficit standing at €957.9 million. This reflects a pattern where the import growth has consistently outstripped that of exports.
The persistent trade deficit highlights the challenges faced by Bulgaria in balancing its trade dynamics, where the demand for foreign goods is growing at a faster rate than the increase in export activities. This situation underscores the need for strategic measures to enhance the competitiveness of Bulgarian exports on the global stage.