Palestine Trade Deficit Widens in April

Palestine’s trade deficit widened to USD 485.3 million in April 2026 from USD 428.0 million in the corresponding month of the previous year. Exports rose 39% from a year earlier to USD 188.1 million, driven largely by a 43% increase in shipments to Israel, which accounted for 92% of total exports. Exports to other countries also edged up 3%. Meanwhile, imports increased 19% year-on-year to USD 673.4 million. Imports from Israel surged 39% and represented 62% of total imports, while purchases from other countries declined 3% compared with April 2025. Over the January-April period, the trade gap expanded to USD 2,047.1 million from USD 1,866.1 million in 2025.

Palestine’s trade deficit narrowed to USD 471.5 million in March 2026 from USD 491.5 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, marking the smallest deficit since June 2025, as exports rose more than imports. Exports jumped 33% year-on-year to USD 171.8 million, driven largely by a 36% rise in shipments to Israel, representing 94% of total exports, while sales to other countries dropped by 1%. Meanwhile, imports rose by 4% to USD 643.3 million, lifted by an 18% increase in purchases from Israel, representing 61% of total imports, while purchases from other countries dropped 13%. Over the January–March period, the trade gap expanded to USD 1,561.8 million from USD 1,438.1 million in 2025.

Palestine’s trade deficit widened to USD 551.1 million in February 2026 from USD 491.5 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, remaining as the largest deficit since September 2023. Imports jumped 20% year-on-year to USD 732.2 million, driven largely by a 34% increase in purchases from Israel, which accounted for 64% of total imports, while purchases from other countries edged up by 1%. Meanwhile, exports soared by 31% to USD 181.1 million, lifted by increased shipments to Israel, representing 93% of total exports, while sales to other countries contracted by 19%. Over the January-February period, the trade gap expanded to USD 1,090.3 million from USD 946.6 million in 2025.