In the period January - August 2010 the Bulgarian exports to the EU increased by 23.7 per cent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and amounted to 11,700 million leva, according to data of the
National Statistical Institute (NSI) publicized on Tuesday.

Bulgaria's main trade partners were Italy, Germany, Romania and Greece that accounted for 61.3 per cent of the total exports to EU Member States. Exports to Italy increased by 40.1 per cent and those to Germany by 21.4 per cent.

The most notable growth was observed in the exports to Estonia, Luxembourg, and
Slovenia. The exports to Denmark and Czech Republic increased by 58.3 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively. The most tangible decrease was registered in the exports to Cyprus and Malta.

In August 2010 the exports to the EU increased by 48.5 per cent year-on-year reaching 1,800 million leva.

Bulgarian imports from the EU in the period January - August 2010 increased by 5.4 per cent as of the like period of 2009 and amounted to 13,500 million leva. The most significant growths were reported in the imports from Malta (by 96.7 per cent) and Portugal (by 94.7 per cent). The largest decrease was observed
in the imports from Estonia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Cyprus and Sweden.

In August 2010 Bulgarian imports from the EU Member States increased by 18.7 per cent as of August 2009 and amounted to 1,700 million leva.

Bulgaria ran a trade deficit (export FOB - import CIF) with EU in the period January - August 2010 amounting to 1,800 million leva. In August 2010 this country registered a trade surplus of 36.6 million leva.