Italy Emerges as Bulgaria’s Leading EU Trading Partner

15 May, 2025

Italy continues to play a significant role in Bulgaria's international trade, ranking among its top European Union trading partners, according to the latest data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). In 2025, Italy remained a key destination for Bulgarian exports and a major source of imports, reflecting the strong and consistent economic ties between the two countries.

In February 2025, Bulgaria’s total exports to EU member states slightly declined by 2.7% year-over-year, amounting to €2.11 billion. Despite the overall dip, Italy maintained its position as one of Bulgaria’s most important export markets within the EU. Alongside Germany and Romania, Italy helped comprise 62.5% of Bulgaria’s total EU-bound exports, underlining its pivotal role in regional trade.

Italian imports into Bulgaria continued to be significant. In the period from January to February 2025, imports from EU countries amounted to €4.57 billion, a slight decline of 2.4% compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Among the top countries contributing to these imports were Germany, Romania, Greece, and importantly, Italy, confirming its enduring economic influence on Bulgaria’s import structure.

Italy’s trade relationship with Bulgaria spans a wide range of sectors including machinery, automotive components, food products, textiles, and chemicals. This strong trade synergy highlights Italy’s role not only as a trading partner but also as a strategic economic ally within the European Union.

Looking forward, the trade partnership between Bulgaria and Italy is expected to remain stable and mutually beneficial, supported by long-standing bilateral ties, shared EU market policies, and continued demand for each country's goods.

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