In 2010 the Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 25% compared to the previous year and amounted to BGN 18.6 B, according to preliminary data by the Bulgarian National Statistics Institute (NSI).
The main trade partners of Bulgaria were Germany, Italy, Romania and Greece that formed 61.6% of the total exports to the EU Member states.
The exports to Romania increased by 42.7% and those to Italy by 38.2%. The most significant growths were observed in the exports to Estonia and Slovenia. The exports to Denmark and Luxembourg reported growths by 63.0% and 62.6% respectively.
The most notable decreases were registered in the exports to Cyprus and Belgium.
Bulgarian imports from the EU in 2010 increased by 11.2% compared to the previous year and amounted to BGN 22 B.
The most significant growths were reported on the imports from Malta (by 259.6%) and Portugal (by 91.1%). The largest decreases were observed in the imports from Estonia, Czech Republic and Cyprus.
The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with EU in 2010 was negative and amounted to BGN 3.4 B.
The exports of Bulgaria to the EU distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification showed that in 2010 more goods were exported from the prevailing part of the sections compared to the 2009.
The largest growths were recorded in the sections "Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)" and "Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes". A fall was observed only in exports of one section – „Beverages and tobacco".
The largest growths on imports from the EU were reported in sections "Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)" and „ Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials" and the lowest in section "Machinery and transport equipment".