Italy Trade Surplus Above Forecasts

2026-04-17 08:25 By Kyrie Dichosa 1 min. read

Italy’s trade surplus widened to €4.9 billion in February 2026 from €4.4 billion in the same month last year and above expectations of €3.8 billion.

Exports fell 0.2% year-on-year to €53.8 billion, reflecting a decline in shipments to EU countries (-2.9%), while those to non-EU markets rose (+2.8%).

Individually, exports declined to Germany (-15.4%), Spain (-15.3%), Turkey (-27.0%), and the UK (-13.6%), while increasing to Switzerland (+33.2%), the US (+8.0%), and OPEC countries (+14.5%).

Sector-wise, export declines were led by transport equipment (-22.1%) and refined petroleum products (-18.2%), partly offset by strong gains in basic metals (+30.7%).

Meanwhile, imports fell 1.3% to €48.8 billion, with a larger drop from EU partners (-2.0%) than non-EU countries (-0.3%).

Specifically, arrivals fell from Belgium (-21.9%), Spain (-4.4%), and Russia (-60.5%).

Among commodities, imports dropped the most in mineral extraction (-30.1%) and coke and refined petroleum products (-16.6%).



News Stream
Italy Trade Surplus Above Forecasts
Italy’s trade surplus widened to €4.9 billion in February 2026 from €4.4 billion in the same month last year and above expectations of €3.8 billion. Exports fell 0.2% year-on-year to €53.8 billion, reflecting a decline in shipments to EU countries (-2.9%), while those to non-EU markets rose (+2.8%). Individually, exports declined to Germany (-15.4%), Spain (-15.3%), Turkey (-27.0%), and the UK (-13.6%), while increasing to Switzerland (+33.2%), the US (+8.0%), and OPEC countries (+14.5%). Sector-wise, export declines were led by transport equipment (-22.1%) and refined petroleum products (-18.2%), partly offset by strong gains in basic metals (+30.7%). Meanwhile, imports fell 1.3% to €48.8 billion, with a larger drop from EU partners (-2.0%) than non-EU countries (-0.3%). Specifically, arrivals fell from Belgium (-21.9%), Spain (-4.4%), and Russia (-60.5%). Among commodities, imports dropped the most in mineral extraction (-30.1%) and coke and refined petroleum products (-16.6%).
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Italy Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
Italy recorded a trade surplus of €1.09 billion in January 2026, a sharp reversal from a €0.29 billion deficit in the same month last year, as imports fell much faster than exports. However, the figure fell short of market expectations of a €5.6 billion surplus. Imports declined 7.4% year-on-year to €45.41 billion, largely due to reduced purchases of manufacturing products (-4.4%) and basic metals (-4.9%). Imports from non-EU countries (-13.9%) dropped more sharply than those from EU countries (-2.0%). Exports fell 4.6% to €46.50 billion, weighed down by lower sales of manufacturing goods (-4.6%) and machinery and equipment, nec (-7.3%). Among key trading partners, exports to France (-7.5%), the US (-6.7%), Germany (-4.8%), and the UK (-12.3%) declined, while shipments to Switzerland (15.5%), China (14.6%), and Austria (5.1%) increased.
2026-03-20
Italy Trade Surplus Largest in Five Months
Italy’s trade surplus widened to €6.0 billion in December 2025, the largest in five months, up from €5.2 billion a year earlier and above expectations of €4.5 billion. Exports rose 4.9% year-on-year to €51.6 billion, driven mainly by higher sales of base metals (+27.8%) and transportation equipment (+25.2%). Shipments increased notably to Switzerland (+41.7%), ASEAN countries (+48.0%), Poland (+18.9%), and France (+5.4%), but declined to Turkey (-17.0%), the UK (-8.7%), and the Netherlands (-9.7%). Meanwhile, imports grew 3.4% to €45.6 billion, reflecting higher purchases of pharmaceuticals (+30.6%), agricultural goods (+21.3%), and base metals (+46.0%). Imports rose primarily from Belgium (+18.7%), Romania (+19.6%), North America (+59.5%), and Central and South America (+32.8%), while falling from Russia (-72.2%) and OPEC countries (-36.5%). For 2025 as a whole, Italy’s trade surplus stood at €50.7 billion, as exports increased 3.3% and imports grew 3.1%.
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