Eastern Balkans in April 2026: the most important developments in economy
In the Eastern Balkans in April 2026, the economic news in Romania and Bulgaria mixed new business activity with rising energy costs. In Romania, the retailer Carrefour planned to introduce a pay-per-task system, and the marketplace Trendyol passed 10,000 Romanian sellers. In Bulgaria, diesel prices were up 37% since the Iran war began, and a nearly 30% rise in Sofia's heating prices drew backlash over household costs. Fuel prices also raised wheat production costs. Romania's presidency concluded after consulting the government and oil companies that there were no fuel supply problems.
Energy supply and sanctions were a second theme. On 14 April the US approved a new waiver allowing Bulgaria to keep importing Russian oil from Lukoil's refinery, following talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Russia had not been able to restore oil exports from a key Black Sea port after a fire, while Kazakhstan's oil exports remained stable. The US also sought to confiscate at least 350 million dollars from Russian nationals extradited by Bulgaria.
Public finances and growth figures pointed in different directions. Bulgaria recorded a budget deficit of 1.5 billion euros in March, the highest in 15 years, yet had the lowest unemployment rate in the eurozone in February at 3.8%. The IMF forecast that Bulgaria would overtake Greece in GDP per capita and that Romania's would rise by one-sixth over five years. Bulgaria-Turkey trade reached a record 9 billion euros. In Romania, the Oltenia Energy Complex began mass layoffs, Hidroelectrica planned a special dividend, and the country sought to swap 600 million euros of debt to Pfizer for medicines. Romania also bought Moldova's largest port at Giurgiulesti.
Defence and infrastructure completed the picture. Elbit Systems was to begin delivering drones to Romania after delays and threats of cancellation. A direct rail link between Ukraine and Bulgaria via Romania was set to open in June, and Sofia's metro extension was due to launch in July.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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