Kosovo Trade Gap at 9-Month High

Kosovo’s trade deficit widened sharply to EUR 576.4 million from EUR 492.3 million in the same month a year earlier. This marked the largest trade gap since July 2025, as imports advanced 19.2% year-on-year to EUR 674.8 million, lifted by higher purchases of organic chemicals (59%), pharmaceutical products (50.3%), and plastic and plastic products (28.1%). Kosovo’s main import partners were Germany (17.5%), Albania (16%), and Poland (59.9%). Meanwhile, exports jumped 33.3% to EUR 98.4 million, lifted by increased shipments of ceramic products (22.2%), iron and steel products (193.6%), and plastic and plastic products (21%). Export growth was mainly driven by key markets including Italy (126.6%), Switzerland (54%), and Macedonia (48%).

Kosovo recorded a trade deficit of EUR 563.5 million in March 2026, widening from EUR 535.7 million in the same month a year earlier. Exports increased 18.2% year-on-year to EUR 88.4 million, supported by higher shipments of base metals (26.2%), plastics, rubber and related products (12.4%), food, beverages and tobacco (11.1%), and manufactured articles (8.3%). Export growth was mainly driven by key markets including Germany (10%), Italy (3.8%), and the Netherlands (2.9%). Meanwhile, imports rose 6.8% to EUR 651.8 million, driven by higher purchases of mineral products (14.5%), machinery and electrical equipment (14.3%), and food, beverages and tobacco (10.6%). The main import partners were Germany (13.5%), Italy (4.5%), and Poland (3.4%).

Kosovo recorded a trade deficit of EUR 469.9 million in November 2025, largely unchanged from the corresponding month of the previous year. Exports declined by 9.5% year-on-year to EUR 87.7 million, with base metals (20.3%) accounting for the biggest share, followed by mineral products (15.4%), plastics, rubber and articles (11.2%), foods, beverages and tobacco (11.1%), and various manufactured articles (10.2%). The main export destinations were Germany (10.7%), Italy (2.9%), and the Netherlands (2.7%). Meanwhile, imports fell by 1.6% to EUR 557.6 million, with machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment (13.3%) making up the largest share, followed by foods, beverages and tobacco (13.1%), mineral products (13%), transport (12.4%), and basic metals (9.1%). The largest import partners were Germany (14.6%), Italy (5.3%), and Poland (3.8%).