Kosovo Trade Gap at 9-Month High

Kosovo recorded a trade deficit of €578.3 million in June 2026, widening from a €498.3 million in the same month a year earlir. Imports rose 17.6% year-on-year to EUR 680.3 million, driven by broad-based increases, with mineral products (15.2%), machinery and electrical equipment (13.0%), and transport equipment (12.0%) accounting for the largest shares. China (15.1%), Germany (13.3%), and Turkey (11.6%) remained the country's leading suppliers. Exports increased at a faster annual pace of 26.9% to EUR 102.0 million, supported by widespread gains, led by base metals and related products (27.4%) and prepared food, beverages, and tobacco (12.7%). North Macedonia (16.7%), Albania (14.3%), Germany (10.1%), and Switzerland (10.0%) were the main export destinations. In the first six months of 2026, Kosovo's cumulative trade deficit widened to EUR 3.09 billion.

Kosovo recorded a trade deficit of EUR 544.4 million in May 2026, widening from EUR 523.4 million in the corresponding month a year earlier. Imports increased 5.6% year-on-year to EUR 638.6 million, supported by stronger purchases of mineral products (15.2%), food, beverages, and tobacco (12.6%), machinery, mechanical and electrical equipment (12.0%), and base metals and related articles (10.8%). Germany (13.1%), Italy (8.8%), and Poland (4.1%) were the country's main import partners. Meanwhile, exports rose 15.7% to EUR 94.1 million, driven by higher shipments of base metals and articles (27.5%), plastics, rubber and related products (11.1%), food, beverages, and tobacco (10.7%), and miscellaneous manufactured goods (8.9%). Exports expanded to Germany (9.9%), Italy (4.9%), and the Netherlands (2.7%). In the first five months of 2026, Kosovo's trade deficit rose to EUR 2,514.2 million, compared with EUR 2,416.9 million in the same period a year earlier.

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%).