Below is a list showcasing 15 of Bulgaria’s top trading partners, countries that imported the most Bulgarian shipments by dollar value during 2016. Also shown is each import country’s percentage of total Bulgarian exports.

1. Germany: US$3.6 billion (13.7% of total Bulgarian exports)
2. Italy: $2.4 billion (9.3%)
3. Romania: $2.3 billion (8.8%)
4. Turkey: $2 billion (7.9%)
5. Greece: $1.8 billion (7%)
6. France: $1.2 billion (4.5%)
7. Spain: $733.4 million (2.8%)
8. Belgium: $711.6 million (2.7%)
9. Netherlands: $706.4 million (2.7%)
10. United Kingdom: $656.2 million (2.5%)
11. Poland: $647.8 million (2.5%)
12. Austria: $508.1 million (2%)
13. China: $477.5 million (1.84%)
14. Serbia: $464.6 million (1.79%)
15. Czech Republic: $445 million (1.7%)

Almost three-quarters (71.8%) of Bulgarian exports in 2016 were delivered to the above 15 trade partners.

Among Bulgaria’s top importers, Czech Republic increased its import purchases at the fastest pace with a 197.7% gain. In second place was China’s 197.7% acceleration, followed by the 172.6% improvement for the Netherlands and a 151.8% uptick for Poland.

Bulgaria incurred an overall trade deficit of -$2.9 billion during 2016 down -58.1% from the -$6.8 billion deficit for 2009.

As defined by Investopedia, a country whose total value of all imported goods is higher than its value of all exports is said to have a negative trade balance or deficit.

It would be unrealistic for any exporting nation to expect across-the-board positive trade balances with all its importing partners. Similarly, that export country doesn’t necessarily post a negative trade balance with each individual partner with which it exchanges exports and imports.

Bulgaria incurred the highest trade deficits with the following countries:

1. Russia: -US$2.2 billion (country-specific trade deficit in 2016)
2. Hungary: -$671.7 million
3. China: -$669.3 million
4. Poland: -$520.2 million
5. Spain: -$386.5 million
6. Ukraine: -$372.2 million
7. Netherlands: -$350.3 million
8. Austria: -$292 million
9. Germany: -$230.9 million
10. Slovakia: -$206.3 million

Among Bulgaria’s trading partners that cause the greatest negative trade balances, Bulgarian deficits with Slovakia (up 270.5%), Hungary (up 115.6%) and Netherlands (up 100.5%) grew at the fastest pace from 2009 to 2016.

These cashflow deficiencies clearly indicate Bulgaria’s competitive disadvantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Bulgaria to develop country-specific strategies to strengthen its overall position in international trade.

Based on Investopedia’s definition of net importer, a country whose total value of all imported goods is lower than its value of all exports is said to have a positive trade balance or surplus.

Bulgaria incurred the highest trade surpluses with the following countries:

1. Greece: US$437.8 million (country-specific trade surplus in 2016)
2. Romania: $292.7 million
3. France: $267.1 million
4. Turkey: $250 million
5. Algeria: $246.6 million
6. United Arab Emirates: $219.1 million
7. Singapore: $174.2 million
8. Macedonia: $127.1 million
9. Lebanon: $121.8 million
10. Italy: $114.7 million

Among Bulgaria’s trading partners that cause the greatest positive trade balances, Bulgarian surpluses with Algeria (up 497.3%), United Arab Emirates (up 348.7%) and Lebanon (up 225.1%) grew at the fastest pace from 2009 to 2016.

These positive cashflow streams clearly indicate Bulgaria’s competitive advantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Bulgaria to develop country-specific strategies to optimize its overall position in international trade.

Companies Servicing Bulgarian Trading Partners

Not one Bulgarian corporation ranks among Forbes Global 2000 for 2015.

Wikipedia lists companies from Bulgaria including international trade players. Selected examples are shown below:

• Armimex (weapons, ammunition)
• Astika Brewery (beer)
• Bulgartabac (cigarettes)
• Chimimport (chemicals)
• Kremikovtzi AD (cast iron, steel)
• LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas (petrochemical products)
• Maxeurope (bicycles, childcare products)
• Navibulgar (shipping company)
• Sofia Mel (bread)
• Vitta Foods (frozen pastry products)