Cyprus Trade Deficit Widens in June

Cyprus’ trade deficit widened to EUR 826.3 million in June 2026 from EUR 638.1 million in the same month a year earlier, preliminary estimates showed. Imports rose 11.9% year-on-year to EUR 1,289.3 million, driven by higher purchases from both EU countries (18.8% to EUR 730.7 million) and non-EU countries (4.0% to EUR 558.6 million). Imports included the transfer of economic ownership of vessels valued at EUR 117.8 million, up from EUR 55.8 million in June last year. Meanwhile, exports fell 9.9% to EUR 463.0 million, weighed down by a decline in shipments to non-EU countries (-31.3% to EUR 251.0 million), while exports to third countries grew 42.3% to EUR 212.0 million. Vessel and aircraft transfers were valued at EUR 77.3 million, up from EUR 68.5 million. For the January-June period, the trade shortfall widened to EUR 4,679.1 million from EUR 4,055.1 million in the same period last year.

Cyprus’ trade deficit widened to EUR 788.7 million in May 2026 from EUR 742.4 million in the same month a year earlier, according to preliminary estimates. Imports advanced 22.3% year-on-year to EUR 1,309.1 million, driven largely by higher purchases from both EU and non-EU countries, which rose 13.4% to EUR 705 million and 34.7% to EUR 604.1 million, respectively. Imports included the transfer of economic ownership of vessels valued at EUR 79.9 million, up from EUR 40.4 million in May last year. Meanwhile, total exports jumped 58.9% to EUR 520.4 million, lifted by an increase of shipments to both EU (+9.3% to EUR 127.3 million) and non-EU countries (+86.2% to EUR 393.1 million). Vessel transfers were valued at EUR 34.8 million from EUR 7.5 million in the corresponding period of 2025. For the January–May period, the trade shortfall increased to EUR 3,840.1 million from EUR 3,417.0 million a year earlier.

Cyprus’ trade deficit widened to EUR 1,007.0 million in April 2026 from EUR 797.2 million a year earlier, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the largest trade deficit since December 2024, as imports rose while exports fell. Total imports jumped 15.1% year-on-year to an over one-year high of EUR 1,370.7 million, lifted by higher purchases from non-EU countries, which climbed 61.2%, while EU imports decreased 12.9%. Imports included the transfer of economic ownership of vessels valued at EUR 240.4 million, up from EUR 146.2 million in April last year. Meanwhile, total exports declined 7.6% to EUR 363.6 million, weighed by reduced shipments to non-EU countries, which dropped 14.2%, offsetting an increase in exports to EU markets of 9.6%. Vessel transfers were valued at EUR 33.8 million, compared with EUR 32.8 million in April 2025. From January to April 2026, the trade shortfall increased to EUR 3,057.1 million from EUR 2,674.6 million in the corresponding period of 2025.