Kosovo Posts Largest Trade Deficit on Record

Kosovo’s trade deficit widened to €568 million in August 2026, from €536.8 million in the same month a year earlier. Imports rose 9% to €668.5 million, driven by a 6.6% increase in purchases from EU countries, mainly Germany, which accounted for 13.6% of total imports, followed by Italy (4.2%) and Poland (3.7%). In contrast, imports from CEFTA countries (North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania) declined 2.1%. The main imported products were machinery and transport equipment (23.2% of total), fuel (18.4%), processed goods (16.6%), and food and live animals (14.9%). Meanwhile, exports surged 31.9% to €100.5 million, driven by a 29.8% increase in shipments to EU countries, particularly Germany, which accounted for 10.2% of total exports, followed by Italy (3.0%) and the Netherlands (2.2%). Shipments to CEFTA countries (Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro) also rose 32.2%. The main exported products were processed goods (25.4%), food and live animals (15.7%), and fuel (12.8%).

Kosovo’s trade deficit widened to a record €615.7 million in July 2026, up from €576.4 million in July 2025, as both imports and exports reached all-time highs. Imports rose 9.1% to €720.5 million, driven by increases from EU countries (up 7.2%, notably Germany, Italy, and Poland), CEFTA nations (up 11.5%, led by North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia), and third countries (up 10.3%, primarily Turkey and China). Key import categories included mineral products (15.7% of total imports), prepared foods, beverages, and tobacco (13.3%), and machinery and electrical equipment (12.4%). Exports surged 25.0% to €104.8 million, fueled by growth in shipments to the EU (up 9.6%, mainly Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands), CEFTA countries (up 27.4%, including North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, and Montenegro), and third countries (up 47.4%, primarily Switzerland). Top export categories were base metals (27.8%), prepared foods, beverages, and tobacco (12.7%), and plastics and rubber (10.1%).

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.