Bulgarian exports to the EU grew by 4.3% in the first seven months of this year, compared to the same period of 2015, while imports from other member states dipped slightly, national statistics show.

Exports amounted to BGN 17.4966 B. The main trade partners included Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece and France, accounting for 64.7% of the exports to EU member states.

The strongest growth for that period was in exports of "Beverages and tobacco" (32.9%) and "Food and live animals" (22.9%), while the most notable fall was in "Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials" (24.9%), according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

In July alone, exports to the EU rose by 7.2%, compared to the same month of the previous year, adding up to BGN 2.8174 B.

Imports from EU countries went down 1% compared to the respective period of last year, reaching BGN 18.9664 B at CIF prices. Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece and Hungary were the countries from which the largest amounts of goods were imported.

Compared to the corresponding period of 2015, the largest growth was posted in imports of "Beverages and tobacco" (14.6%), according to the Standard International Trade Classification. The most notable fall was obseved in "Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)".

In July 2016, the Bulgarian imports from the EU Member States dropped by 4.3% in comparison with July 2015 and amounted to BGN 2.9149 B.

The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with the EU in the period January - July 2016 was negative and added up to BGN 1.4698 B. At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports) the trade balance was also negative and amounted to BGN 0.5836 B.