Malta Trade Deficit Narrows in April

Malta’s trade deficit narrowed to €314.8 million in April 2026 from a revised €436.1 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. Exports rose 18.1% year-on-year to €400 million, lifted by higher sales in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€27 million), machinery and transport equipment (€25.8 million), and miscellaneous manufactured articles (€18.7 million), while gains were partially offset by a decrease in chemicals and chemical products (€9.9 million). Germany registered the largest increase in exports (€43.2 million), partly tempered by the largest decrease recorded in Turkey (€45.8 million). Meanwhile, imports fell 7.7% to €714.8 million, driven largely by lower purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (€35.5 million). Imports from Italy registered the largest drop (€94.4 million), while imports grew in the Netherlands (€117.3 million).

Malta's trade shortfall decreased to €259.5 million in March 2026 from a revised €298.5 million in the same month a year ago. Exports jumped 9.5% to €404.5 million, mainly reflecting higher shipments of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (25.3%) and chemicals (33.6%). Conversely, imports declined 0.6% to €664.1 million, on lower purchases of machinery and transport equipment (-24.6%) and miscellaneous transactions and commodities (-96.8%), partly offset by a 59.2% jump in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials.

Malta’s trade deficit narrowed to €209.4 million in February 2026 from €225 million in the same month a year earlier. Exports fell 11% year-on-year to €324.8 million, weighed down by lower sales of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€25.3 million) and miscellaneous transactions and commodities (€24.4 million), partly offset by an increase in food (€12.2 million). Turkey registered the largest decrease of exports (€42.2 million), partly offset by the highest increase recorded in Egypt (€12.6 million). Meanwhile, imports fell at a slower pace of 9.4% to €534.3 million, primarily due to lower purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€30.1 million), chemicals (€19.6 million), and miscellaneous transactions and commodities (€8.8 million). Imports from Italy registered the largest drop (€57.1 million), while imports rose in the Netherlands (€48.7 million). On a cumulative basis, the trade deficit narrowed to €401.4 million from €546.3 million.