Turnover of Bulgaria - 2024 - final data

 

In 2024, the goods exported from Bulgaria amounted to 86 689.1 million BGN or 0.2% less than in 2023 (Annex, Tables 1 and 2). In comparing monthly data for 2024 with the data for the corresponding month of the previous year, the highest growth in exports was observed in July (12.8%), while the biggest fall was registered in January (11.7%).

  

%

^[1] Value changes at current prices.

 

In the exports of goods from Bulgaria, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, in 2024 compared to 2023, the largest growth was reported in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (24.4%). The biggest fall was observed in section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (28.6%) (Annex, Table 4).

 

 

The imported goods in 2024 were for 99 553.6 million BGN (at CIF prices)^[2], which is 2.6% more than the previous year (Annex, Tables 1 and 2). Analyzing the monthly data on imports in 2024 and the corresponding ones in 2023, the biggest increase was observed in April (16.6%), while the biggest decrease was registered in January (6.3%).

^[2] Imports at FOB prices are calculated by BNB (http://bnb.bg/Statistics/StExternalSector/StForeignTrade/StFTImports/index.htm?toLang=_EN). 

 

%

^[3] Value changes at current prices.

 

In the imports of goods to Bulgaria, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, in 2024 compared to the previous year, the largest growth was registered in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (29.3%). The biggest fall was observed in section ‘Machinery and transport equipment’ (7.3%) (Annex, Table 4).

 

Foreign trade balance (exports FOB - import CIF) was negative in 2024 and amounted to 12 864.5 million BGN (Annex, Tables 1 and 2).

 

 

Trade in goods of Bulgaria with the EU

 

In 2024, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU countries increased by 1.5% compared to the previous year and amounted to 55 988.7 million BGN (Annex, Tables 1 and 2). Main trade partners of Bulgaria were Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece, France and Poland, which accounted for 67.0% of the exports to the EU (Annex, Table 3).

 

%

^[4] Value changes at current prices.

In the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, in 2024 compared to 2023, the largest growth was registered in section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (128.1%). The biggest fall was observed in section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (19.4%) (Annex, Table 4).

 

 

The imports of goods to Bulgaria from the EU countries in 2024 decreased by 0.3% compared to 2023 and amounted to 57 957.7 million BGN (Annex, Tables 1 and 2). The most significant amounts were reported for the goods imported from Germany, Romania, Greece, Italy and Poland, which represent 59.4% from the imports from the EU.

  

%

^[5] Value changes at current prices.

In the imports of goods from the EU, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, in 2024 compared to the previous year, the largest growth was registered in section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (182.6%). The biggest fall was observed in section ‘Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material’ (13.0%) (Annex, Table 4).

 

Foreign trade balance (exports FOB - import CIF) of Bulgaria with the EU countries in 2024 was negative and amounted to 1 969.0 million BGN (Annex, Table 1).

 

 

Bulgarian trade in goods with third countries

 

In 2024, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries decreased by 3.3% compared to the previous year and added up to 30 700.4 million BGN (Annex, Tables 1 and 2). Leading trade partners of Bulgaria were Türkiye, the United States, Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia, China, the United Kingdom and Egypt, which accounted for 50.2% of the total exports to non-EU countries (Annex, Table 3).

 

%

^[6] Value changes at current prices.

The imports of goods to Bulgaria from third countries in 2024 increased by 6.8% compared to 2023 and amounted to 41 595.9 million BGN (Annex, Tables 1 and 2). The largest amounts were reported for the goods imported from Türkiye, China, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Serbia whose share amounted to 49.4% of the total imports from non-EU countries.

 

 

%

^[7] Value changes at current prices. 

Foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries in 2024 was negative and amounted to 10 895.5 million BGN (Annex, Table 1).

Annex

 

^[1] Imports at FOB prices are calculated by BNB (http://bnb.bg/Statistics/StExternalSector/StForeignTrade/StFTImports/index.htm?toLang=_EN).

 

 

^[1] Partner country:

In case of exports (or dispatches) is the country (or Member State) of final destination of the goods.

In case of imports (or arrivals) is the country (or Member State) of consignment of the goods.

^[2] CIS includes: Azerbaijan; Armenia; Belarus; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Moldova, Republic of; Russian Federation; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

^[3] OECD includes: Australia; Virgin Islands (US); United States; Iceland; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Korea, Republic of; Türkiye; United Kingdom; Switzerland; Japan and Israel.

^[4] The United Kingdom includes: Northern Ireland; Great Britain; Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

^[5] EFTA includes: Norway; Switzerland; Iceland and Liechtenstein.

^[6] Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.

 

 

 

 

Methodological Notes

  

Legislative Framework

 

Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on European business statistics (including intra-EU trade in goods).

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020 laying down technical specifications and rules pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1704 of 14 July 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council by further specifying the details of the statistical information to be provided by tax and customs authorities, and amending Annexes V and VI thereof (text relevant to the EEA).

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1225 of 27 July 2022 laying down the rules for data exchange pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 regarding the member country of extra-EU export and the obligations of reporting units.

Law on Statistics of Intra-EU Trade in Goods effective from 1 July 2012, amended and supplemented, Issue 61 of 2 August 2023.

 

Scope and Basic Terminology

 

External trade in goods covers trade with third countries (Extrastat) and with EU member states (Intrastat), with detailed statistical information collected at the commodity code level (8 digits) of the Combined Nomenclature.

Imports include all goods entering the statistical territory* of the Republic of Bulgaria from other countries intended for domestic consumption, processing in the country for export after processing, as well as imports of goods processed outside the country.

Exports include all goods leaving the statistical territory of the Republic of Bulgaria intended for normal export to another country. This includes goods returned to the trading partner after processing in Bulgaria or goods exported for processing in another country with the intention of being returned to Bulgaria.

The statistical territory of the European Union (EU), in the context of international trade in goods statistics, corresponds to the combined customs territories of the EU member states with one exception: unlike the customs territory, the statistical territory of Germany includes Helgoland.

Statistical volumes of imports and exports do not include imported goods placed under customs warehousing without processing, nor do exports include the re-export of these goods.

International trade statistics do not account for the transit of goods through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

 

Main Sources of Information

Customs declaration - Single Administrative Document (SAD), which is filled out by all entities importing or exporting goods to/from third countries.

Intrastat declaration for intra-EU imports and exports to/from EU member states.

The Customs Agency is the institution responsible for collecting customs declarations (SAD), and the National Revenue Agency is responsible for Intrastat declarations.

Trade estimates are made to compensate for the impact of thresholds below which traders are exempt from submitting Intrastat declarations, as well as for those who have not responded.