In the first five months of 2026, Bulgaria witnessed a consistent rise in its export activities, achieving a total of €18.8 billion. This marks a 7.4% increase when compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, as indicated by preliminary official figures. However, imports surged even more rapidly, climbing by 12.8% year-on-year to reach €24.2 billion between January and May.
During May alone, Bulgaria’s exports saw a 7.8% increase, amounting to €3.72 billion. Meanwhile, imports experienced a significant jump of 17.4%, totaling €4.68 billion for the month. This disparity in growth rates between imports and exports contributed to the nation’s trade deficit.
The trade deficit for the first five months of the year stood at €5.4 billion, highlighting the considerable gap between the country’s import and export activities. The trend continued into May, where the trade balance remained negative, resulting in a deficit of €957.9 million over that month.
The figures reflect a broader pattern of stronger import growth compared to exports during this period. This dynamic has further emphasized the challenges faced by Bulgaria in balancing its trade accounts, as it continues to grapple with the implications of increasing import demands outpacing export growth.