Trade deficit increases in the first four months of 2026

According to the Statistical Service, the trade deficit for the period January-April 2026 reached €3,057.1 million, compared to €2,674.6 million in the same period of 2025. Total imports rose by 4.8% to €4,697.0 million, while exports fell by 9.3% to €1,639.9 million during this four-month period. For the month of April 2026 alone, imports increased by 15.1% to €1,370.7 million, partly due to ship ownership transfers valued at €240.4 million. April imports included €645.3 million from EU member states and €725.4 million from third countries. Total exports in April 2026 stood at €363.6 million, a 7.6% decrease from the €393.6 million recorded in April 2025. These export figures for April 2026 comprise €119.6 million to EU member states and €244.0 million to third countries. The data, released on Tuesday, confirms a widening of the deficit attributed to both rising import costs and declining export performance.