Greek Trade Deficit Shrinks in May

Greece's trade deficit narrowed to EUR 2.0 billion in May 2026 from EUR 2.3 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking the smallest deficit since May 2021. Exports jumped 20.9% year-on-year to EUR 5.1 billion, driven by higher sales to both the EU (14.4%) and third countries (29.8%). Meanwhile, imports rose at a softer 9.6% to EUR 7.0 billion, supported by a 19.5% increase in imports from third countries despite a 0.4% decline in arrivals from the EU. In the first five months of 2026, the trade deficit narrowed to EUR 12.5 billion from EUR 13.7 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The trade deficit in Greece narrowed to EUR 2.2 billion in April 2026 from EUR 2.9 billion in the same month last year, as exports rose much faster than imports. Exports soared 35.7% year-on-year to EUR 5.2 billion, the highest since June 2022, driven by higher sales to both the EU (20.2%) and third countries (59.8%). Meanwhile, imports rose at a softer 9.6% to EUR 7.4 billion, supported by a 23.4% increase in imports from third countries despite a 0.6% decline in arrivals from the EU. Over the January–April period, the trade deficit narrowed to EUR 10.4 billion from EUR 11.3 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The Greek trade deficit narrowed to €2.2 billion in March of 2026 from €3.0 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year, the lowest for the month since 2021. Exports soared by 25% from the previous year to €4.9 billion, the highest since August of 2022, amid surges in sales to the EU (26.5% to €2.9 billion) and sales to third countries (€22.8% to 2.1 billion). The surge in exports took place despite a tepid month for the global shipping industry as tankers and commercial vessels were unable to take deliveries from the Persian Gulf amid the war in the region. Meanwhile, imports inched higher by 0.2% to €7.2 billion.