North Macedonia Trade Gap Widens in August

North Macedonia’s trade deficit widened to $368 million in August 2026 from $361 million in the corresponding month a year earlier. Exports increased 11.6% year-on-year to $737 million, while imports rose 8.1% to $1,105 billion. In the January-August period, exports rose 13.7% to $6,670 million, supported by machinery and equipment (6.0%), chemicals and related products (23.6%), and manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (9.8%). Among key partners, exports expanded to Germany (7.1%), Serbia (17.5%), and Bulgaria (22.9%). Meanwhile, imports climbed 12.9% to $9,476 million, driven by increased purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (19.1%), chemicals and related products (13%), manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (16.6%), and machinery and transport equipment (3.8%). Imports were strongest from Great Britain (54.6%), Greece (53.1%), and China (7.9%). Over the first eight months of the year, the trade gap totaled to $2,806 million.

North Macedonia’s trade deficit widened to $390 million in July 2026 from $380 million in the same month a year earlier, marking the largest deficit in three months. Exports increased 8.7% year-on-year to $847 million, while imports rose 6.7% to $1,236 million. In the January-July period, exports rose 13.9% to $5,932 million, supported by increased sales of chemicals and related products (25.6%), machinery and transport equipment (6.3%), and products classified by material (11.7%). Exports grew notably to Germany (8.9%), Bulgaria (24.7%), and Hungary (13.4%). Meanwhile, imports climbed 13.5% to $8,370 million, driven by higher purchases of chemicals and related products (15.5%), products classified by material (18.2%), and machinery and transport equipment (4.4%). Import growth was strongest from Great Britain (60.4%), Greece (43.7%), and China (10.8%). Over the first seven months of the year, the trade gap widened to $2,437 million from $2,168 million in the same period last year.

North Macedonia’s trade deficit widened to $363 million in June 2026 from $334 million in the same month a year earlier. Exports increased 19.2% year-on-year to $953.9 million, while imports rose 16.0% to $1,316.5 million. In the January–June period, exports climbed 14.9% to $5,085.9 million, supported by stronger sales of chemical and related products (28.8%), machinery and transport equipment (7.5%), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (3.2%). Exports grew to Germany (11.0%), Bulgaria (26.6%), and Serbia (23.2%). Meanwhile, imports advanced 14.7% to $7,131.7 million, driven by higher purchases of manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (23.1%), machinery and transport equipment (7.4%), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (15.4%). Import growth was strongest from Great Britain (65.4%), Greece (36.8%), and China (17.2%). Over the first six months of the year, the trade gap widened to $2,045.9 million from $1,788.2 million in the corresponding period of 2025.