Finnish Trade Gap Largest in 4 Years

Finland posted a trade deficit of EUR 1.15 billion in August 2026, widening from EUR 0.81 billion in the same month of the previous year, preliminary estimates showed. This marked the largest trade gap since August 2022, as exports rose less than imports. Exports grew 21.8% year-on-year to EUR 6.33 billion, as sales surged to non-EU countries (+49.3%) and EU markets (+4.5%). Sales to the US (+224.3%), Thailand (+74.9%), Switzerland (+66.0%), Australia (+33.7%), and Turkey (+29.4%) saw the largest increases. Meanwhile, imports rose faster, increasing 24.5% to EUR 7.47 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. In the first eight months of 2026, the country’s trade shortfall expanded sharply to EUR 2.80 billion from EUR 0.19 billion in the same period a year ago.

Finland’s trade deficit widened to EUR 735 million in July 2026, from a EUR 1.29 billion surplus in the corresponding month of 2025, according to preliminary estimates. The deterioration came as exports fell 13.8% year-on-year to EUR 6.51 billion, with shipments to EU countries rising 3.8% and those to non-EU countries to 2.2%. Among Finland’s major trading partners, exports to the US (-66.6%) and Germany (-8.0%) declined, while shipments to Sweden (14.0%) and China (2.0%) rose. Meanwhile, imports climbed 15.7% to EUR 7.24 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 seven months of 2026, Finland posted a trade deficit of EUR 1.71 billion, reversing from a EUR 0.62 billion surplus in the same period of 2025.

Finland's trade surplus widened to EUR 1.89 billion in June 2026 from EUR 0.39 billion in the corresponding month of 2025, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the largest trade surplus ever recorded, as exports rose faster than imports. Exports rose 39.6% year-on-year to EUR 9.0 billion, supported by higher shipments to both EU countries (12.8%) and non-EU countries (10.5%). Among Finland's major trading partners, exports surged to the US (338.2%) and also increased to China (54.1%), Sweden (20.7%), and Germany (12.0%). Meanwhile, imports climbed 17.6% to EUR 7.15 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. For the January–June period, Finland posted a trade deficit of EUR 1.10 billion, widening from a EUR 0.65 billion deficit in the same period of 2025.