Bulgaria’s trade balance (exports FOB - imports FOB) in 2003 showed a record high deficit of USD 2.5 billion, statistical data show. Last year Bulgaria registered the largest trade gap since 1958. In lev terms, the trade deficit amounted to BGN 4.3 billion, compared to USD 879.3 million in 2002. Exports last year totalled USD 7.4 billion, or BGN 13 billion, rising 30.7% in dollar terms and 9.9% in leva. Exports were largest in July (USD 717.6 million) and lowest in February (USD 538.7 million). Imports (CIF) amounted to USD 10.7 billion or BGN 18.8 billion, with imports prevailing over exports by 44.4%. The rise on 2002 was 35.9% in dollars and 14.1% in leva. Most goods were imported in December (USD 1.062 billion). Overall, the trade turnover amounted to USD 18.2 billion, or BGN 31.8 billion. The year-on-year increase was 33.8% in dollar terms and 12.4% in lev terms. The exports of unrefined copper last year surged by more than USD 100 million, while electricity exports declined USD 25 million. The export of consumer goods doubled. Import leader in the past three years were oil, natural gas and second-hand cars, which rose by USD 100 million, USD 40 million and USD 48 million, respectively, on 2002. The imports of transport equipment increased more than 40%, of consumer goods, 30%, of office equipment, over 50%. In 2003, too, Italy remained Bulgaria's main trade partner, followed by Germany. Turkey was fourth with 9% of the total exports. The main importers were Germany, Russia and Italy. More than half of the turnover was due to trade with the European Union (52.4%), which accounted for nearly 57% of Bulgaria's exports and for 50% of the imports.