The first-quarter trade deficit totalled nearly 2,000 million leva (fob-fob) according to preliminary figures the National Statistical Institute released on Tuesday.

Bulgaria had a trade deficit of 963.9 million leva with the EU, and a deficit of 1,009 million leva with third countries.

January-March trade totalled 13,300 million leva at current prices, down 27.4 per cent on a year earlier.

First-quarter exports were worth 5,500 million leva, down 23.3 per cent on a year earlier. Imports (cif) totalled 7,800 million leva, down 30 per cent on a year earlier.

Imports exceeded exports by 43.3 per cent in value terms but the value of imports fell more sharply from a year earlier.

Source: NSI