Bulgaria's exports to the countries of the European Union in January-June 2010 increased by 17.4 per cent as from the like period of the preceding year and were reported at 8,000 million leva, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said on Wednesday.

Bulgaria's key trade partners were Germany, Italy, Greece and Romania accounting for over 61.8 per cent of the country's exports for the EU member states. Exports for Germany were 22.8 per cent up and, to Italy - 28.7 per cent up.

Most tangible was the increase of exports to Luxembourg, Estonia and Slovenia. Exports to Denmark and the Czech Republic marked an increase of 62.6 per cent and 54 per cent, respectively. Exports to Portugal, Cyprus and Malta registered the most dramatic drop.

In June 2010 exports to the EU reached 1,600 million leva, 36.2 per cent up as at June 2009.

Bulgaria's imports from the EU equalled 9,900 million leva in the first half of the current year, which was 2.8 per cent up from the like period of last year. Largest was the increase of imports from Portugal - 58 per cent and from Spain, Romania and Malta, by over 40 per cent. Most tangible was the decrease of imports from Estonia, Switzerland and Finland.

In June 2010 Bulgaria's imports from the EU countries increased by 9.5 per cent as at June 2009 reaching 1,900 million leva.

This country's foreign trade balance for In January-June 2010 reported a trade deficit (export FOB - import CIF) of 1,900 million leva with the EU countries. The June 2010 deficit was 257.5 million leva.

According to the Standard International Trade Classification, Bulgaria's exports in the first half of 2010 marked an increase, it being most tangible in the following sectors: Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels and Machines and Machinery and Transport Equipment. There was a decrease of exports only in the sector Beverages and Tobacco.

Regarding imports from EU, most tangible was the increase in Crude Materials, Inedibles, Except Fuels and Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials. Most negligible was the increase in the sector of Machines and Machinery and Transport Equipment.

Source: BTA