According to the seasonally adjusted data, GDP had a growth rate of 2.0% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
The producer price index in agriculture decreased by 0.9% for the first quarter of 2023 in comparison with the same quarter of 2022 as a result of a decrease in the price index of crop output by 8.6% and an increase in the index of animal output by 36.8%.
Compared to the previous year, the prices of agricultural output decreased by 5.9%, as in crop output they decreased by 12.8% and in animal output they increased by 20.3%.
In crop output, in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same quarter of 2022, the highest drop was recorded in the prices of industrial crops - by 22.9%. The trend also retained in comparison to 2022, with the decrease in industrial crops - by 16.0%.
In animal output, in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of 2022, the prices of live animals increased by 36.7%, and of animal products output - by 36.9%. Compared to 2022, the increase was respectively 16.7% and 23.6%.
The price index for agricultural current consumption products and services for the first quarter of 2023 was higher by 5.6% compared to the same quarter of the previous year and decreased by 1.5% compared to 2022.
The largest increase compared to the first quarter of 2022 was recorded in the prices of animal feedingstuffs - by 25.3%, of seed and planting material - by 23.2%, and of veterinary expenses - by 8.3%.
Compared to the previous year, the biggest increase was in the prices of: seed and planting material - by 13.4%, animal feedingstuffs - by 9.2%, and veterinary expenses - by 3.1%.
The number of employees under labour contract at the end of March 2023 increased by 47.5 thousand, or 2.1%, as compared to the end of December 2022 and reached 2.31 million according to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The highest increase was observed in economic activities: ‘Human health and social work activities’ - by 7.1%, ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - by 4.7%, and ‘Construction’ - by 4.3%. Decrease of the number of employees by 0.2% was recorded in economic activity ‘Public administration and defence; compulsory social security’.
In the first quarter of 2023, in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2022, the average monthly wages and salaries increased by 0.2% and reached 1 882 BGN. The highest increase in wages and salaries was reported in ‘Transportation and storage’ - by 6.1%, ‘Mining and quarrying’ - by 5.6%, in ‘Administrative and support service activities’ - by 5.3%, and in ‘Financial and insurance activities’ - by 4.2%.
In the period January - February 2023, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 13.4% compared to the same period of 2022 and amounted to 9 585.8 million BGN, while the imports of goods from the EU grew by 11.0% and reached 9 472.6 million BGN.
In February 2023, the exports to the EU increased by 7.7% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 4 643.2 million BGN, while the imports grew by 10.8% and added up to 4 871.7 million BGN.
The most notable growth in the exports of goods to the EU in the period January - February 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 was recorded in sections ‘Miscellaneous manufactured articles’ (46.0%) and ‘Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)’ (28.0%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (9.2%). The largest growth in the imports of goods from the EU was recorded in the section ‘Beverages and tobacco’ (51.9%). Data are by the Standard International Trade Classification.
The exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 14.5% compared to the period January - March 2022 and amounted to 8 160.9 million BGN, while the imports of goods from third countries dropped by 1.0% and added up to 10 394.4 million BGN.
Тhe most notable growth in the exports of goods to third countries compared to the period January - March 2022 was recorded in the sections ‘Machinery and transport equipment’ (78.5%) and ‘Food and live animals’ (51.3%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (17.3%). The largest growth in the imports of goods from third countries was recorded in the sections ‘Beverages and tobacco’ (59.5%) and ‘Food and live animals’ (42.8%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (26.9%). The data are by the Standard International Trade Classification.
The total value of all exported goods to third countries and the EU amounted to 22 836.8 million BGN in the period January - March 2023, which is 8.3% more than the same period of the previous year, while the total value of all imported goods from third countries and the EU added up to 25 355.4 million BGN and grew by 4.2%.
In March 2023, 2 124 accommodation establishments - hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other establishments for short-term accommodation with more than 10 bed-places, functioned in the country with 60.5 thousand rooms and 124.1 thousand bed-places in them. In comparison with March 2022, the total number of accommodation establishments (functioned during the period) increased by 23.7% and the bed-places in them - by 19.3%.
The total number of nights spent in all accommodation establishments in March 2023 was 1 027.6 thousand, or by 29.0% more in comparison with the same month of the previous year.
In March 2023, the number of arrivals in all accommodation establishments increased by 31.9% compared to the same month of 2022 and reached 453.1 thousand.
The total revenues from nights spent in March 2023 reached 79.6 million BGN or by 53.1% more compared to March 2022.
Тhe index of production in the ‘Construction’ section increased by 0.8% in March 2023 compared to the previous month. The production of building construction rose by 1.0% and the production of civil engineering - by 0.5%.
Compared to March 2022, the index of production in construction went up by 0.3%. An increase was registered in building construction - by 2.4%, while in civil engineering, a decrease of 2.5% was seen.
In March 2023, the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices decreased by 0.6% compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.
A decline in turnover was reported in ‘Retail sale of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 1.6% and in ‘Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 0.5%. Аn increase was observed in ‘Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 2.2%.
The calendar-adjusted turnover rose by 1.1% compared to the same month in 2022.
An increase was seen in ‘Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ (12.3%) and in ‘Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco’ (1.7%), while in ‘Retail sale of non-food products (except fuel)’ was reported a decrease (1.8%).
The Industrial Production Index decreased by 1.2% in March 2023 compared to February 2023. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.
Compared to the previous month, a drop was reported in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 11.8%, while an increase was seen in the mining and quarrying industry - by 2.8%, and in the manufacturing - by 1.5%.
In March 2023, a decline of 9.0% was registered in the calendar-adjusted Industrial Production Index in comparison with the same month in 2022.
Compared to February 2022, a drop was observed in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 39.3%, in the mining and quarrying industry - by 14.3%, and in the manufacturing - by 0.9%.
According to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute in the first quarter of 2023, the number of newly built residential buildings was 1 289, and the newly built dwellings in them were 4 427. Compared to the first quarter of 2022, the buildings were by 18 more (or by 1.4%), and the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 153, or by 3.3%.
