site.btaCentral Bank Reports Wider January Trade Deficit in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s trade balance posted a deficit of EUR 879.4 million in January, up from EUR 869.2 million a year earlier, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) said on Friday.

Goods exports totaled EUR 3.3361 billion in January, equivalent to 2.7% of GDP, up EUR 17.2 million, or 0.5%, from EUR 3.319 billion, or 2.9% of GDP, a year earlier.

Goods imports totaled EUR 4.2155 billion in January, equivalent to 3.4% of GDP, up EUR 27.3 million, or 0.7%, from EUR 4.1882 billion, or 3.6% of GDP, in January 2025.

The services balance remained in surplus at EUR 575.5 million, equivalent to 0.5% of GDP, compared with a surplus of EUR 602.4 million, also 0.5% of GDP, in January last year.

The country’s current and capital account shifted to a deficit of EUR 498.7 million, equivalent to 0.4% of forecast GDP, compared with a surplus of EUR 225.9 million, or 0.2% of GDP, in January 2025.

The capital account remained in surplus at EUR 230.7 million, equivalent to 0.2% of GDP, compared with a surplus of EUR 255.2 million, also 0.2% of GDP, in January last year.

The financial account recorded a positive balance of EUR 914.5 million in January, equivalent to 0.7% of GDP, compared with EUR 336.9 million, or 0.3% of GDP, in the same month of 2025.

Preliminary data showed that foreign direct investment in Bulgaria, compiled in accordance with the directional principle, increased by EUR 259.8 million in January, compared with a rise of EUR 247.6 million in January 2025. According to the BNB, direct investment abroad increased by EUR 14.4 million in January, compared with a rise of EUR 100.1 million in January last year.