Bulgaria’s exports to other European Union countries in 2016 were 7.2 per cent higher than in 2015, but the country’s trade balance was negative, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on March 13.

In 2016 Bulgarian exports to the other EU countries added up to 31.1 billion leva.

Bulgaria’s main trading partners among other EU countries were Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece and France which accounted for 63.8 per cent of exports to EU member states.

In December 2016, Bulgaria’s exports to the EU increased by 12.8 per cent compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and added up to 2 439.9 million leva.

In 2016 in comparison with 2015 the largest growths in the exports of Bulgaria to the EU distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification were recorded beverages and tobacco (27.8 per cent) and chemical and related products (21.9 per cent).

The most notable fall was recorded in the mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials category (13.8 per cent), the NSI said.

Bulgarian imports from the EU in 2016 increased by 2.4 per cent compared to the previous year and reached 33 938.5 million leva at CIF prices.

The largest amounts were reported for goods imported from Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece and Poland.