In the period January - June 2011 the Bulgarian exports to third countries increased by 35.5% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and exceeded BGN 7.2 B.

The data was released by the National Statistics Institute, NSI, Tuesday.

The main trade partners of Bulgaria were Turkey, Serbia, Russia, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, China and USA, forming 51.2% of the total exports to non EU countries.

The exports to South Africa, India and Canada increased significantly. Falls were reported on the exports to Syria, Singapore, Peru, United Arab Emirates, Albania and Indonesia.

In June 2011, the exports to third countries decreased by 2.1% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to BGN 1.1 B.

Bulgarian imports from third countries in the first sixth months of 2011 increased by 27.8%, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and amounted to BGN 9.0 B(at CIF prices).

The most significant growths were reported on the imports from Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, South Africa, Republic of Korea and Egypt. The largest decreases were observed in the imports from Peru, Canada and Vietnam.

In June 2011, the Bulgarian imports from third countries increased by 27.6%, compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and reached BGN 1.7.

The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries in the period January - June 2011 was negative and reached BGN 1764.2 M. The trade balance at FOB /FOB prices (after elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports) was also negative and amounted to BGN 1086.9 M.

In June 2011, the foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with third countries was negative and reached BGN 624.9 M.

The exports of Bulgaria to third countries during the first half of 2011, distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification, increased in the most in the sectors: "Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials," "Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes" and "Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material."

The most notable fall was observed in the sector "Miscellaneous manufactured articles."

The largest growths in imports from third countries were reported in the sector "Chemical and related products" and the most significant falls were reported in the sector "Crude materials, inedible (except fuel).

In the period January - June 2011 the total value of the exported goods to third countries and EU amounted to BGN 18.8 B. Compared to the corresponding period of 2010, the exports increased by 40.3%.

In June 2011, the total exports amounted to BGN 3.1 B and increased by 12.7% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year. The total value of all imported goods in the period January - June 2011 was BGN 21.1B (at CIF prices), or by 23.3% more than corresponding period of the previous year.

In June 2011, the total imports increased by 13.1% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and reached BGN 3.7 B.