Czech Republic Trade Surplus Widens

The trade surplus in the Czech Republic expanded to CZK 19.3 billion in January 2026, up from CZK 17.9 billion in the same month a year earlier, though still below the market expectation of CZK 25.5 billion. The surplus was supported by a smaller trade deficit in crude petroleum and natural gas, a higher surplus in machinery and equipment, and a reduced deficit in coke and refinery petroleum products. Despite the expansion, exports fell 0.9% year-on-year to CZK 394 billion, weighed down by lower purchases of beverages and tobacco, crude materials (-11%), computers, electronic and optical products (-7%), and manufactured goods by material (-6%). Meanwhile, imports declined 1.3% to CZK 374.7 billion, driven by lower purchases of mineral fuels and lubricants (-19%), beverages and tobacco (-18%), crude materials (-10%), and food and live animals (-5%).

The trade surplus in the Czech Republic expanded to CZK 14.8 billion in December 2025 from CZK 7.8 billion in the same month last year, surpassing market expectations of a CZK 10.1 billion surplus, as exports rose more than imports. Exports rose by 6.8% year-on-year to CZK 360.1 billion, mainly due to higher sales of motor vehicles, metal products, and machinery and equipment. Meanwhile, imports increased by 4.8% to CZK 345.3 billion, with increased purchases of other transport equipment and wood and wood products. For the full year of 2025, the trade balance recorded a surplus of CZK 216.5 billion, lower than the CZK 220.5 billion surplus in the previous year, as exports rose 2.6% and imports increased 2.8%.

The trade surplus in the Czech Republic narrowed to CZK 16.2 billion in November 2025 from CZK 21.2 billion in the same month last year, coming well below market expectations of a CZK 28 billion surplus, as exports decreased more than imports. Exports declined 4.6% year-on-year to CZK 403.1 billion, largely weighed down by motor vehicle exports, which were CZK 4.8 billion lower than a year ago, and electrical equipment exports, down CZK 4.4 billion. Meanwhile, imports fell 3.6% to CZK 386.9 billion, affected by lower purchases of metal products, which were CZK 3.7 billion below last year, and chemical substances and preparations, down CZK 3.1 billion. For the January-November period, the trade balance reached a surplus of CZK 207.7 billion, lower than the CZK 212.7 billion surplus recorded in the same period a year ago, with exports rising 2.3% and imports increasing 2.5%.