The following section explains how Bulgaria’s imports and exports changed over three different periods: 1890–1894, 1895–1899, and 1900–1904. The trade is divided into three main routes: the Black Sea, the Danube River, and land routes. The numbers show both the value in millions of francs and the percentage of total trade for each route.
Imports General Movement Over Three Periods
During the first period (1890–1894), total imports reached 86.6 million francs. Of this amount:
28.08% came by sea,
36.86% by the Danube,
35.06% by land.
In the second period (1895–1899), total imports fell slightly to 72.5 million francs, but the share of routes changed. Imports by sea increased to 33.36%, while Danube imports dropped to 33.92%. Land imports remained steady at 32.72% Ephesus Daily Tour.
In the last period (1900–1904), imports rose again to 79.8 million francs. The share of sea imports increased further to 36.83%, Danube imports fell to 27.06%, and land imports accounted for 36.11%.
Exports General Movement Over Three Periods
Exports also changed noticeably over the same three periods.
Exports by sea increased steadily, rising from 37.39% in the first period to 41.83% in the second. By the last period, they reached 46.11%, showing that sea trade was becoming increasingly important.
Exports by the Danube decreased from 34.36% to 36.21%, and then fell sharply to 27.14%.
Land exports also fluctuated without major growth.
Combined Imports and Exports
When imports and exports are added together, it becomes clear that the Black Sea route gained greater importance. The share of total trade by sea increased from 32.44% in the first period to 42.02% in the last.
At the same time, Danube trade declined from 35.69% to 27.10%.
Comparison Between Periods
A comparison of the first and last periods shows:
Imports
Sea imports increased by 5.1 million francs in 1890–1894 and by 5.2 million francs in 1895–1899.
Danube imports decreased strongly, falling 10.3 million francs in the first comparison and 3.0 million francs in the second.
Land imports grew, especially in the last period.
Exports
Sea exports rose sharply, increasing by 18.2 million francs in the first comparison and 16.1 million francs in the second.
Danube exports remained weak, with only small changes.
Land exports increased steadily.
Total Trade
Sea trade grew by more than 23 million francs in the first comparison and 21.3 million francs in the second, clearly showing a long-term shift toward maritime commerce.
These figures clearly show a steady and important growth in trade through the Black Sea ports. This increase came mainly at the expense of the Danube route, which lost a large share of both imports and exports between 1890 and 1904. The sea route became the most reliable and profitable path for Bulgaria’s foreign commerce during this period.