site.btaBulgaria’s Exports to EU Decrease by 7% in First Eight Months of 2025

Between January and August 2025, Bulgaria’s exports of goods to the European Union fell by 7% compared to the same period in 2024, amounting to over BGN 34.8 billion, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said on Tuesday.

Bulgaria’s main trading partners within the EU were Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, and France, which together accounted for 64% of the country’s exports to member states.

The largest export growth was recorded in the category "Food and live animals" (up 15.6%), while the sharpest decline occurred in "Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material" (down 20.1%).

In August 2025, exports to the EU decreased by 11.4% year-on-year, totalling just over BGN 4 billion.

Imports from the EU to Bulgaria for the same eight-month period rose by 2.5%, reaching nearly BGN 38.4 billion. The highest import volumes came from Germany, Romania, Greece, Italy, and Poland.

Imports increased the most in "Beverages and tobacco" (up 24.7%), while the biggest decline was registered in "Animal and vegetable fats, oils, and waxes" (down 4.4%).

In August 2025, imports from the EU rose slightly by 0.9%, amounting to BGN 4.22 billion.

As a result, Bulgaria’s trade balance with the EU for the January-August 2025 period remained negative, standing at around BGN 3.56 billion.