site.btaBulgaria Runs BGN 16.3 Bln Foreign Trade Deficit in January–October 2025

In the period January–October 2025, goods worth a total of BGN 70.186 billion were exported from Bulgaria, which is 3.7% less compared with the same period of 2024. In October 2025, total exports of goods amounted to BGN 7.769 billion, an increase of 0.6% compared with the same month of the previous year, according to early estimates released by the National Statistical Institute on Friday.

During the period January–October 2025, goods worth a total of BGN 86.446 billion were imported into the country (CIF prices), or 5.1% more compared with the same period of 2024. In October 2025, total imports of goods increased by 7.1% compared with the same month of the previous year and amounted to BGN 10.136 billion.

The total foreign trade balance (exports FOB minus imports CIF) is negative for the period January–October 2025 and amounts to BGN 16.260 billion. In October 2025, the total foreign trade balance (exports FOB minus imports CIF) is also negative, amounting to BGN 2.366 billion.

Back in January-October 2024, the total foreign trade balance (exports FOB minus imports CIF) was negative, amounting to BGN 9.882 billion, according to a reference at the National Statistical Institute.

Trade with third countries

In January–October 2025, Bulgaria incurred a deficit of BGN 11.455 billion in its trade with third countries (exports FOB minus imports CIF). In October 2025 alone, the deficit was BGN 1.692 billion. 

In January–October 2024, Bulgaria incurred a deficit of BGN 9.270 billion in its trade with third countries.

During the period January–October 2025, Bulgaria’s exports of goods to third countries decreased by 1.7% compared with the same period of 2024 and amounted to BGN 25.270 billion. Bulgaria’s main trading partners in this group of countries were Turkiye, the United States, Serbia, North Macedonia, Algeria, China and the United Kingdom, which together account for 48.8% of Bulgarian exports to third countries. In October 2025, Bulgaria’s exports of goods to third countries decreased by 3.8% compared with the same month of the previous year and amounted to BGN 2.553 billion.

Imports of goods from third countries to Bulgaria during the period January–October 2025 increased by 5.9% compared with the same period of 2024 and amounted to BGN 36.726 billion (CIF prices). The greatest value of imported goods came from Turkiye, China, Serbia and the United States. In October 2025, imports of goods from third countries to Bulgaria increased by 6% compared with the same month of the previous year and amounted to BGN 4.245 billion.