North Macedonia Trade Deficit Widens in January

North Macedonia’s trade deficit widened to $309 million in January 2026 from $279 million in the same month of the previous year. Imports rose 5.95% year-on-year to $931 million, driven largely by higher purchases of food and live animals (3.1%), beverages and tobacco (2.4%), and manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (22.1%). However, purchases declined for crude materials (-4.1%), mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (-11.8%), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (-0.7%). Meanwhile, exports grew by 3.8% to $622 million, lifted by increased sales in animal and vegetable oils, fats, and waxes (33.1%), chemicals and related products (21.3%), and crude materials (8.9%). Sales were partially tempered by declines in beverages and tobacco (-3%), machinery and transport equipment (-2.1%), and food and live animals (-8.7%).

North Macedonia’s trade deficit narrowed to $295 million in December 2025 from $388 million in the same month of the previous year. Exports climbed 21% year-on-year to $717 million, while imports rose at a slightly slower pace of 20% to $1,181 million. For the whole year, the country’s trade deficit reached $3,504 million. Imports rose 9% compared to the corresponding period a year earlier to $13,048 million, driven largely by higher purchases of food and live animals (10.8%), animal and vegetable oil and fats and waxes (23.6%), chemical and related products (9.3%), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (9%). Meanwhile, exports grew by 7.4% to $9,050 million, attributed to an increase in sales of beverages and tobacco (38.2%), machinery and transport equipment (16.1%), miscellaneous manufactured articles (3.6%), and crude materials (9.1%).

North Macedonia’s trade deficit narrowed to $295 million in November 2025 from $303 million in the same month of the previous year. Exports climbed 14.8% year-on-year to $798 million, while imports rose at a slower pace of 9.5% to $1,093 million. In the January to November period, the country’s trade deficit reached $3,503 million. Imports increased 7.7% compared to the corresponding period a year earlier to $11,837 million, primarily driven by higher purchases of products classified by material (9.9%), chemical and related products (7.8%), and mineral fuels, lubricants and related products (1.7%). Meanwhile, exports rose 6.4% to $8,333 million, mainly due to stronger sales of machinery and transport equipment (15.3%), miscellaneous finished goods (2.8%), and food and live animals (7.9%). However, exports of chemical and related products declined (–2%).