Finnish Trade Gap Largest in 3 Months

Finland posted a trade deficit of EUR 0.91 billion in May 2026, widening sharply from EUR 0.05 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year, preliminary estimates showed. This marked the largest trade gap since February, as exports rose less than imports. Exports grew by a modest 7.5% year-on-year to EUR 6.39 billion, as sales rose to non-EU countries (+19.2%), while shipments fell to EU markets (-0.3%). Sales to Sweden (+5.8%), Germany (+2.1%), the US (+28.6%), Norway (+24.5%), and China (+20.2%) saw the largest increases. Meanwhile, imports rose faster at 22.7% to EUR 7.3 billion. It should be noted that imports from EU countries are now compiled using a new methodology starting January 2026, so only total values are comparable with those of 2025. Considering the first five months of 2026, the country’s trade shortfall expanded to EUR 2.95 billion from EUR 1.04 billion in the same period a year ago.

Finland recorded a trade deficit of EUR 0.33 billion in April 2026, slightly narrowing from EUR 0.34 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year, preliminary estimates showed. Exports grew by 19.8% year-on-year to EUR 7.19 billion, driven by higher sales to both EU (+7.6%) and non-EU countries (+39.2%). Shipments to Sweden (+20.6%), the US (+79.6%), China (++21.5%), Norway (+34.9%), and Estonia (+23%). Meanwhile, imports rose at a slightly softer 18.6% to EUR 7.51 billion. It should be noted that imports from EU countries are now compiled using a new methodology starting January 2026, so only total values are comparable with those of 2025. Finnish Customs will not publish other annual change data for imports in 2026. Considering the first four months of 2026, the country’s trade deficit expanded to EUR 1.39 billion from EUR 1.02 billion in the same period a year ago.

Finland posted a trade surplus of EUR 0.25 billion in March 2026, shifting from a deficit of EUR 0.16 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year, preliminary estimates showed. Exports climbed by 13.7% year-on-year to an eight-month high of EUR 7.36 billion, driven by sharp increases of shipments to both EU (+11.8%) and non-EU countries (+16.3%). Sales to Sweden (+15%), the US (+40.9%), Poland (+50.7%), and Estonia (+22.3%) saw the largest increases. Meanwhile, imports rose at a softer 7.2%, but to a three-year high of EUR 7.11 billion. It should be noted that imports from EU countries are now compiled using a new methodology starting January 2026, so only total values are comparable with those of 2025. Finnish Customs will not publish other annual change data for imports in 2026. Considering the first three months of 2026, the country’s trade deficit expanded to EUR 0.91 billion from EUR 0.67 billion in the same period last year.