Bulgaria's industrial output declined by 2% in March 2008, compared to March 2007, data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) showed.

The output of the processing industry declined by 2.7% over the period. Tobacco products output went down by 35.5%, while the output of clothing, including leather apparel, declined by 23.4%. The output of chemical products declined by 12.5% year on year in March 2008.

The overall industrial output went up by 5.1% in March 2008, compared to the previous month, preliminary data showed.

The index of production in the processing industry marked a 6.4-percent month on month increase in march 2008. Chemical products output went up by 14.4% on February 2008, while the production of rubber and plastic products went up by 12. .

Industrial sales revenue marked a 7.2-percent month on month increase in March 2008. The sales revenue in the processing industry rose by 8.2% in March, compared to February. Chemical product sales marked a considerable month on month increase of 15.5%. The sales of food products and beverages rose by 14.7%.

Industrial sales revenue marked a 2.2-percent year on year increase in March 2008. Processing industry sales rose by 2% over the same period, while investment product sales went up by 9.1% on an annual basis. Energy product sales marked a 2.8-percent year on year rise.