Press releases

In January 2017 the Bulgarian exports to third countries increased by 12.7% compared to the same month of 2016 and amounted to 1 312.1 Million BGN while the imports grew by 30.8% and added up to 1 574.9 Million BGN.

In January 2017 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 3 724.0 Million BGN and in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year the exports increased by 8.7% while the total value of all imported goods added up to 4 206.9 Million BGN and grew by 21.2%.

According to the preliminary data, in January 2017 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 0.6% below the level of the previous month. In January 2017 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 10.3% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in January 2017 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.5% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, decreased by 3.9% in January 2017 as compared to December 2016. In January 2017 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index fell by 1.2% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

According to the seasonally adjusted data, the GDP growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2016 is 3.4% compared with the same quarter of 2015.

In December 2016 compared to November 2016 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels by 1.0%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 11.1%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 7.1%, natural gas - by 36.4% and electricity - by 18.1%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of transport diesel by 0.7%.

In December 2016 compared to November 2016 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels by 0.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 4.8%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 35.1%, natural gas - by 21.3% and electricity - by 18.7%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of transport diesel by 13.0%.

In January 2017, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 369.5 thousand or by 20.4% above the registered in January 2016. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in January 2017 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 50.7%, followed by the trips with professional purpose - 27.1%, and with holiday and recreation purpose - 22.2%.

In January 2017, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 454.6 thousand or by 10.9% more in comparison with January 2016. An increase was registered in the trips by all observed purposes: with professional purpose - by 27.6%, with other purposes - by 9.1%, and with holiday and recreation purpose - by 7.0%.

Total Producer Price Index in January 2017 increased by 0.6% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the prices rose by 4.3%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in January 2017 grew by 0.5% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the domestic prices ran up by 1.9%.

In February 2017 the total business climate indicator preserves approximately its level from the previous month. An improvement of the business conjuncture is registered in construction and service sector, while in industry and retail trade a reduction is observed.

The producer price index in agriculture in the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased by 5.1% in comparison with the same quarter of 2015. The crop output index decreased by 4.2%, as well the animal output index - by 11.2%. In comparison with previous year the prices of agricultural output went down by 3.3% due to the fall in crop output price index - by 2.6% and in animal output price index - by 7.3%.

The index of prices of goods and services currently consumed in agriculture in the fourth quarter of 2016 was 1.2% below the level in the same quarter of previous year and by 3.2% compared to 2015.