Bulgaria's exports to the rest of the EU increased by 33,8% year on year in the period January - October 2011, according to preliminary data released by the country's National Statistical Institute.

Bulgaria's main trading partners within the bloc in that period were Germany, Romania, Italy, Greece and Belgium. Together, they formed 66.7 % of Bulgaria's total exports to EU Member states.

The most significant growths were observed in the exports to Malta and Denmark. Falls were registered in the country's exports to Slovenia and Luxembourg.

In October 2011, Bulgaria's exports to the EU increased by 28.0% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and exceeded BGN 2.2 B.

Bulgaria's imports from other EU member states in the period January - October 2011 increased by 21.6% compared to the corresponding period of 2010 and amounted to BGN 21.4 B at CIF prices.

In October 2011, Bulgaria's imports from the other EU member states increased by 29.9% year on year, exceeding BGN 2.6 B at CIF prices.

The foreign trade balance of Bulgaria (export FOB - import CIF) with EU in the period January – October 2011 was negative and amounted to BGN 1025.8 M. At FOB/FOB prices (after elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports), the country's trade balance was also negative and amounted to BGN 45.6 M.

Bulgaria's largest export growths were recorded in the sections “Crude materials,
inedible (except fuels), “Chemical and related products”, and „Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes.

The largest growths on imports from EU were reported in sections "Crude materials, inedible (except fuels)” and „Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes”.