Belgium Trade Surplus Narrows in December

Belgium recorded a trade surplus of EUR 1,244.5 million in December 2025, narrowing from EUR 1,293.5 million a year earlier. Imports increased by 0.6% year-on-year to EUR 38,912.6 million, driven by higher purchases from EU countries (6.1%), while imports declined from non-EU countries (-8.7%). Meanwhile, exports edged up by 0.4% to EUR 38,912.6 million, supported by increased shipments to EU markets (3.3%), while exports to non-EU markets fell (-5.3%). For the full year 2025, the country posted a trade surplus of EUR 26,649.9 million, down from EUR 26,316.6 million in the same period a year earlier.

Belgium recorded a trade surplus of EUR 1,447.9 million in November 2025, slightly down from EUR 1,818.6 million in the same month a year earlier. Imports fell 6.7% year-on-year to EUR 37,825.6 million, reflecting weaker purchases from both non-EU countries (-12.2%) and EU countries (-4.0%). Exports declined 7.5% to EUR 39,273.5 million, weighed down by lower shipments to non-EU markets (-12.2%) and EU countries (-6.5%). The steep fall in US exports is mainly due to the chemical products sector, followed by metals, while the gem and precious stones sector continued to show strong growth, providing a rare bright spot for Belgian trade.

Belgium recorded a trade surplus of EUR 3,348.4 million in October 2025, narrowing slightly from EUR 3,380.1 million in the same month a year earlier. Year-on-year, imports fell by 8.8% to EUR 40,126.2 million, reflecting weaker purchases from both non-EU countries (-15.9%), and EU countries (-4.3%). Meanwhile, exports declined by 8.2% to EUR 43,474.6 million, weighed down by lower outbound shipments to non-EU countries (-12%) and EU countries (6.5%). Over the January-October period, the country posted a trade surplus of EUR 21,826 million, down from EUR 23,204.5 million in the same period a year earlier.