Italy Trade Surplus Widens in April

Italy's trade surplus narrowed to €4.8 billion in May 2026 from €6.1 billion a year earlier, though it exceeded market expectations of a €4.5 billion surplus. Exports rose 4.1% year-on-year to €57.4 billion, driven by base metals and metal products, excluding machinery and equipment (26.2%), coke and refined petroleum products (62.0%), transportation equipment, excluding motor vehicles (20.6%), and motor vehicles (13.9%). In contrast, exports of pharmaceutical, chemical-medicinal, and botanical products fell 9.7%. Switzerland remained the largest destination (57.9%), followed by China (24.2%) and the Netherlands (8.6%). Meanwhile, imports increased at a faste pace of 7.3% to €51.6 billion, mainly due to a surge in purchases of crude oil and refined petroleum products, while declines in other goods limited overall growth. Purchases from non-EU markets far outpaced those from EU markets, at 15.5% and 1.3%, respectively.

Italy’s trade surplus widened to €4.3 billion in April 2026 from €2.4 billion in the same month a year earlier, although it fell short of market forecasts for a €5.19 billion surplus. Exports increased by 8.8% year-on-year to €57.6 billion, with most sectors contributing to the growth, notably basic metals and fabricated metal products, excluding machinery and equipment (32.9%), coke and refined petroleum products (52.0%), machinery and equipment not classified elsewhere (6.3%), chemical substances and products (10.5%), motor vehicles (16.1%), and electrical equipment (10.4%). Switzerland remained Italy’s largest export market (39.4%), followed by the US (12.1%), China (36.2%), France (7.6%), and Germany (5.0%). Meanwhile, imports rose by 5.5% to €53.3 billion, primarily due to increased purchases of metals and crude oil. Imports from EU and non-EU countries grew by 5.2% and 5.9%, respectively.

Italy’s trade surplus remained relatively stable in March 2026 compared to the same month last year, standing at €4.7 billion, but was below market expectations of €5.2 billion. Exports rose by 7.4% year-on-year to €61.7 billion, supported by strong growth in sectors such as basic metals and fabricated metal products, excluding machinery and equipment (38.6%), coke and refined petroleum products (55.0%), motor vehicles (15.8%), computers, electronic and optical equipment (17.5%), pharmaceutical, chemical, medicinal, and botanical products (4.6%), and machinery and equipment, nec (3.3%). Switzerland was the top export destination (84.6%), followed by France (9.2%), Germany (8.0%), Spain (12.6%), and China (23.9%). Meanwhile, imports grew by 8.0% to €57.0 billion, amid increased purchases of metals, motor vehicles, and electronics. Imports from both the EU (8.1%) and non-EU countries (9.1%) went up.