MaltaTrade Deficit Widens in May

Malta's trade deficit widened slightly to €339.0 million in May 2026 from a revised €326.9 million in the same month a year earlier. Exports jumped 26.6% year-on-year to €516.1 million, driven mainly by higher shipments of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€88.7 million) and machinery and transport equipment (€30.9 million), partly offset by weaker exports of chemicals and chemical products. Meanwhile, imports rose 16.4% to €855.1 million, largely due to increased purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€170.3 million). The rise was partly offset by lower imports of machinery and transport equipment (€30.1 million), chemicals (€8.7 million), and food (€8.6 million). During the January-May period, EU countries accounted for 62.3% of Malta's imports (€2.14 billion) and 32.0% of its exports (€659.5 million).

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.