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Euro area international trade in goods deficit €1.0 bn

Euro area

The first estimates of euro area balance showed a €1.0 bn deficit in trade in goods with the rest of the world in April 2026, compared with a surplus of €8.7 bn in April 2025.

The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world in April 2026 were €255.4 billion, an increase of 5.0% compared with April 2025 (€243.3 bn).

Imports from the rest of the world stood at €256.4 bn, a rise of 9.3% compared with April 2025 (€234.6 bn).

International trade in goods of the euro area

In April 2026, the euro area balance registered a deficit of €1.0 bn, down from a surplus of €4.9 bn in March 2026.

Compared with April 2025, the latest figure showed a deterioration of €9.7 bn. This drop was primarily driven by an increase of the energy deficit and by a reduced surplus in the machinery and vehicles product group.

Euro area balance by product groupIn January to April 2026, the euro area recorded a surplus of €12.9 bn, compared with €63.7 bn in January-April 2025.

The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world fell to €970.1 bn (a decrease of 3.6% compared with January-April 2025), and imports rose to €957.2 bn (an increase of 1.5% compared with January-April 2025).

Intra-euro area trade rose to €924.9 bn in January-April 2026, up by 3.1% compared with January-April 2025.

Euro area trade – non seasonally adjusted data (bn €)

Flows

Apr 25

Apr 26

Growth

Jan-Apr 25

Jan-Apr 26

Growth

243.3

255.4

5.0%

1 006.3

970.1

-3.6%

234.6

256.4

9.3%

942.6

957.2

1.5%

8.7

-1.0

63.7

12.9

223.0

237.5

6.5%

896.8

924.9

3.1%

European Union

The EU balance showed a €7.1 bn deficit in trade in goods with the rest of the world in April 2026, compared with a surplus of €7.3 bn in April 2025.

The extra-EU exports of goods in April 2026 were €225.7 billion, up by 3.2% compared with April 2025 (€218.7 bn).

Imports from the rest of the world stood at €232.8 bn, up by 10.1% compared with April 2025 (€211.4 bn).

International trade in goods of the EU

In April 2026, the EU recorded a trade in goods deficit of €7.1 billion, compared with a surplus of €2.3 bn in March 2026 and a surplus of €7.3 bn in April 2025. This shift reflects a deterioration of €14.4 bn year-on-year, primarily driven by an increase in the energy deficit and a reduced surplus in the machinery and vehicles product group.

EU balance by product groupIn January to April 2026, the EU recorded a deficit of €2.2 bn, compared with a surplus of €57.5 bn in January-April 2025.

The extra-EU exports of goods fell to €857.7 bn (a decrease of 5.8% compared with January-April 2025), and imports rose to €859.9 bn (an increase of 0.8% compared with January-April 2025).

Intra-EU trade rose to €1 445.4 bn in January-April 2026, +4.2% compared with January-April 2025.

EU trade – non seasonally adjusted data (bn €)

Flows

Apr 25

Apr 26

Growth

Jan-Apr 25

Jan-Apr 26

Growth

218.7

225.7

3.2%

910.9

857.7

-5.8%

211.4

232.8

10.1%

853.4

859.9

0.8%

7.3

-7.1

57.5

-2.2

345.7

371.6

7.5%

1 387.4

1 445.4

4.2%

Main products – EU

Bn €, monthly change compared to previous year

Extra-EU exports

Extra-EU imports

Trade balance

Apr 26

Growth rates

Apr 26

Growth rates

Apr 26

Apr 25

225.7

3.2%

232.8

10.1%

-7.1

7.3

38.1

16.1%

70.5

19.8%

-32.4

-26.0

17.9

0.0%

14.6

-1.2%

3.3

3.1

7.0

17.3%

9.9

23.6%

-2.9

-2.0

13.2

47.7%

46.0

27.7%

-32.8

-27.1

180.9

-0.5%

158.2

5.8%

22.7

32.3

45.5

-10.6%

27.1

-12.0%

18.4

20.0

87.3

3.5%

80.2

14.9%

7.1

14.5

48.2

3.3%

50.8

4.1%

-2.6

-2.1

6.7

62.8%

4.2

33.6%

2.5

1.0

Main trading partners – EU

Bn €, monthly change compared to previous year

Extra-EU exports

Extra-EU imports

Trade balance

Apr 26

Growth rates

Apr 26

Growth rates

Apr 26

Apr 25

41.4

-12.7%

31.5

3.9%

9.9

17.1

16.6

1.8%

48.5

7.1%

-31.9

-29.0

30.3

7.8%

14.3

7.6%

16.0

14.8

20.7

18.0%

12.5

4.2%

8.2

5.5

9.7

-6.8%

9.1

1.4%

0.6

1.4

5.8

12.8%

10.7

30.0%

-4.9

-3.1

5.1

-6.7%

5.7

3.3%

-0.6

-0.1

4.5

0.9%

6.0

-6.4%

-1.5

-2.0

4.6

11.5%

5.8

-6.9%

-1.2

-2.1

2.8

-0.5%

5.6

47.2%

-2.8

-1.0

Annex – Seasonally adjusted data

In April 2026 compared with March 2026, euro area seasonally adjusted exports increased by 3.2%, while imports increased by 2.9%. The seasonally adjusted balance was €1.3 bn, an increase compared with March (€0.6 bn).

In April 2026 compared with March 2026, EU seasonally adjusted exports increased by 3.2%, while imports increased by 3.7%. The seasonally adjusted balance was €-4.7 bn, a fall compared with March (€-3.5 bn).

In February-April 2026, euro area exports to non-EA countries rose by 2.7%, while imports rose by 5.5%. Intra-euro area trade rose by 2.9%.During the same period, EU exports to non-EU countries increased by 1.9%, while imports rose by 6.1%. Intra-EU trade increased by 3.2%.

EA and EU trade – seasonally adjusted data – (bn €)

Mar 26

Apr 26

growth rates

Feb-Apr 26

Growth rates (compared to the previous three months)

246.2

253.9

3.2%

740.5

2.7%

245.6

252.6

2.9%

731.8

5.5%

0.6

1.3

8.6

232.8

234.7

0.8%

692.3

2.9%

217.8

224.8

3.2%

656.3

1.9%

221.3

229.5

3.7%

661.0

6.1%

-3.5

-4.7

-4.7

363.6

367.1

1.0%

1 082.5

3.2%

International trade in goods balance

Notes for users

Revisions and timetable

This News Release is based on information transmitted by Member States to Eurostat before 11 Jun 2026. Figures are provisional. For more details, see information on data.

Methods and definitions

Statistics on trade in goods are transmitted monthly by the Member States, in accordance with the standard set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. For each reference month, Member States must compile statistics covering their total extra- and intra-EU trade by using estimates, where necessary. These data are available within 40 days after the end of the reference month, enabling euro area and EU aggregates to be disseminated within around 46 days.

Member States provide Eurostat with raw data, which are adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects by Eurostat. The European aggregates are computed with the indirect approach (by Member States) for total imports and exports, which guarantees additivity between the aggregate and its respective components. The estimation of seasonally adjusted data is based on the Tramo-Seats procedure, which is available in the software JDemetra+.

Data are broken down by broad categories of products as defined by the one-digit codes of the Standard international trade classification (SITC).

Geographical information

Euro area (EA21): Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.

The European Union (EU27) includes Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.

For more information