Bulgaria had very limited trade relations with Sweden and Norway during the periods under review. In fact, Bulgaria did not export any goods to either of these two countries. Trade was one-sided and consisted only of imports into Bulgaria.
The only product imported from Sweden and Norway was unworked iron. Although the total value of these imports was small, it showed a steady and continuous increase over time. During the first period, Bulgaria imported unworked iron worth 60,579 francs. In the second period, this amount rose slightly to 61,881 francs. During the last period, imports increased again to 66,221 francs. This gradual rise shows a stable, though modest, commercial relationship Guided Istanbul Tour.
Trade with Other Minor Countries
In addition to the countries already discussed, Bulgaria also maintained commercial relations with several other states. However, the value of trade with these countries was so small that the Statistical Bureau did not keep separate records for them in most cases.
An important exception was made during the last three years of the period under study. During this time, special records were kept for trade with Spain, Egypt, and Crete. Before the periods 1890–1894 and 1895–1899, trade with these and other minor partners was grouped under the general category of “other countries” or “unknown destination.”
Exports listed under unknown destination were mainly cereals, especially wheat and maize. These goods were usually shipped through the port of Braila. The traders at this port often could not state the final destination in advance, which explains why the exact country of delivery was not recorded.
Overview of Bulgaria’s Maritime Commerce
To complete the discussion of Bulgaria’s foreign trade, it is useful to review the country’s maritime commerce. This overview helps form a clearer picture of Bulgaria’s overall economic activity during this period.
According to statistical data from 1895 to 1899, Bulgarian ports on the Black Sea and along the Danube River were visited each year by an average of 8,949 vessels. These ships had a combined net tonnage of 2,441,816 tons.
During the following period, from 1899 to 1904, maritime traffic increased significantly. The average number of vessels rose to 12,674 per year, with a total net tonnage of 2,991,235 tons. Of these vessels, 3,439 were sailing ships, representing 27.13 percent of the total and carrying 289,916 tons. The remaining 9,235 vessels were steamships, accounting for 72.87 percent of the total and carrying 2,701,319 tons.
Shipping Activity in 1905
In 1905, the Bulgarian ports of Varna and Bourgas alone were visited by 2,480 ships, with a combined tonnage of 1,363,763 tons. This figure shows the growing importance of these ports and highlights the steady expansion of Bulgaria’s maritime trade.
Overall, Bulgaria’s trade with Sweden and Norway remained limited, while maritime commerce showed strong growth. The increase in shipping traffic reflects the rising role of Bulgaria in regional and international trade at the beginning of the twentieth century.