According to the latest figures of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) released on Thursday, between January and March 2016, Bulgarian exports to the EU exceeded BGN 7 B, which represented an increase of 2.6 % compared to the same period last year.

Bulgaria's main trading partners were Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, France and the UK, which together accounted for 69.6 % of Bulgarian exports to EU member states.

In March alone, Bulgarian exports to the EU exceeded BGN 2.5 B, recording an increase of 3.5 % compared to the same month in 2015.

The largest increase in Bulgarian exports to the EU was registered in the exports of chemical substances and products as well as soft and alcohol beverages and tobacco, while the largest drop was recorded in the exports of mineral fuels, oils and similar products.

In the first three months of this year, Bulgarian imports from the EU exceeded BGN 7.8 B, which represented an increase of 0.4 % compared to the same month last year.

The greatest volume of goods was imported from Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece and Spain.

In March alone, Bulgarian imports from the EU exceeded BGN 2.9 B, recording an increase of 3.6 % compared to the same month in 2015.

The largest increase in Bulgarian imports from the EU was registered in the imports of fats, oils and waxes of animal and plant origin, while the largest drop was recorded in the imports of mineral fuels, oils and similar products.

In the first three months of this year, Bulgaria's balance of trade with the EU was negative and amounted to BGN 793.8 M.