In the period January – June 2012, Bulgaria's exports to third countries increased by 7.8% from the same period in 2011 to BGN 7.8 B, according to data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

Bulgaria's main trade partners were Turkey, China, Russia, Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Macedonia) which accounted for 46.3% of the total of exports for third countries.

A significant growth was registered in exports for the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Canada, Syria, China and Brazil, while the biggest decline was recorded in exports for Singapore, Iran, India and Croatia.

In June 2012, exports for third countries increased by 33.0% from the same month of 2011, amounting to BGN 1.5 B.

In the first six months of 2012, Bulgaria's imports from third countries increased by 13% from the same period of 2011, reaching BGN 10.2 B at CIF prices.

The biggest growth was registered in imports from Canada, Peru, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran and Brazil and the biggest decline was recorded in imports from Kazakhstan and Israel.

In June 2012, Bulgaria's imports from third countries went up by 1.2% from the same month of 2011 to BGN 1.7 B.

Bulgaria's foreign trade balance (export FOB – import CIF) with third countries in the period January – June 2012 was negative and amounted to BGN 2 372.4 M.

The trade balance at FOB /FOB prices (after the elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports) was also negative and amounted to BGN 1 858.4 M.

In June 2012, Bulgaria's foreign trade balance (export FOB – import CIF) with third countries was negative and amounted to BGN 284.4 M.

In the first six months of 2012, as compared to the same period of the 2011, the biggest growths in Bulgaria's exports to third countries distributed according to the Standard International Trade Classification were recorded in the segments "Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes", "Beverages and tobacco" and "Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)".

Declines in exports were registered in the segments of "Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material", "Machinery and transport equipment" and "Miscellaneous manufactured articles".

As regards Bulgaria's imports from third countries, the biggest growth was recorded in the segment of "Machinery and transport equipment."

The biggest decline was registered in the segment of "Food and live animals."

In the first six months of 2012, Bulgaria exported goods worth a total of BGN 19.4 B, registering an increase of 2.8% from the same period of 2011.

In June 2012, Bulgaria's total exports amounted to BGN 3.5 B, up by 10.7% from the same month of 2011.

In the period January – June 2012, Bulgaria imported goods worth BGN 24.5 B at CIF prices, up by 12.9% from the same period of 2011.

In June 2012, Bulgaria's total imports grew by 16.5% as compared to June 2011, reaching BGN 4.4 B.

Bulgaria's foreign trade balance (export FOB – import CIF) was negative in the period January – June 2012, amounting to BGN 5 077.9 M, up by BGN 2 263.8 M from the first six months of 2011.

At FOB/FOB prices (after the elimination of transport and insurance costs on imports), the trade balance in the period January – June 2012 was also negative and came in at BGN 3 892.5 M.

In June 2012, the foreign trade balance (export FOB – import CIF) was negative and amounted to BGN 916.9 M.

At FOB/FOB prices, the trade balance was also negative and came in at BGN 699.8 M.