site.bta2022 First-Half Balance on Goods Negative at 2.6% of Projected GDP

Bulgaria's balance on goods recorded a deficit of EUR 529 million euro in June 2022, compared with a negative balance of EUR 273.6 million euro in June 2021, the Bulgarian National Bank reported on Wednesday. In January-June 2022 the balance on goods was negative amounting to more than EUR 2 billion (2.6 of the projected GDP), compared with a deficit of EUR 1.146 billion (1.7% cent of GDP) in January-June 2021.

Exports of goods amounted to EUR 4.513 billion in June 2022, increasing by EUR 1.643 billion (57.2%) from June 2021. In January-June 2022 exports of goods totaled EUR 22.8 billion (28.8% of GDP), increasing by 40.3% year-on-year.

Imports of goods amounted to EUR 5 billion in June 2022, increasing by EUR 1.9 billion (60.4%) from June 2021. In January-June 2022 imports of goods totaled EUR 24.8 billion (31.5% of GDP), up by EUR 7,5 billion from January-June 2021.

Services recorded a positive balance of EUR 427.1 million in June 2022, compared with a surplus of EUR 426.4 million in June 2021. In January-June 2022 services recorded a surplus of more than EUR 2 billion (2.5% of GDP) compared with a positive balance of EUR 1.8 billion (2.7% of GDP) in the same period of 2021.

Bulgaria's current and capital account recorded a deficit of EUR 39.5 million in June 2022, compared with a surplus of EUR 307.9 million in June 2021. In January-June 2022 the current and capital account was negative amounting to EUR 613.3 million (0.8% of GDP), compared with a surplus of EUR 687.3 million (1% of GDP) in January-June 2021.

Foreign direct investment in Bulgaria (under the directional principle) dropped by EUR 138.6 million in June 2022 according to preliminary data, compared with an increase of EUR 292.5 million in June 2021. In January-June 2022 foreign direct investment increased by EUR 289.2 million compared with an increase of EUR 606.3 million in January-June 2021.