Bulgaria exported goods worth 12.39 billion leva (6.33 bln euros) in Jan – May 2008, which is 25.4% up from the corresponding period a year ago, according to data by National Statistics Institute (NSI).

Import rose 26.3% y/y to 19.95 billion leva (10.2 bln euros).

Export to the EU stood at 7.45 billion leva (3.8 bln euros), or 20.2% up y/y. Import is 18.1% up to 11.26 bln leva (5.75 mln euros).

Export to other countries amounted to 4.84 billion leva (2.47 bln euros) and import to 8.68 billion leva (4.43 bln euros). The first is up 34.4% year on year and the second grew 38.8%.

Import from CEE countries rose 36.6% to 3.40 billion leva (1.7 bln euros) and export is up 29.4% to 2.28 billion leva (1.16 bln euros).

Export is highest to Greece (1.25 bln leva), Germany (1.14 bln leva) and Italy (1.14 bln leva). Outside the EU export is highest to Greece (1.33 bln leva).

Bulgaria's trade deficit for the period concerned stands at 7.56 bln leva (3.8 bln euros), up 27.7% year on year.