Romania Trade Gap Narrows Slightly in May

Romania’s trade deficit narrowed slightly to EUR 2.616 billion in May 2026 from EUR 2.762 billion in the corresponding month a year earlier. Exports grew by 4.5% year-on-year to EUR 8.325 billion, driven by stronger shipments to both EU (3%) and non-EU markets (8.6%). Meanwhile, imports rose by 1.9% to EUR 10.941 billion, supported by higher purchases from EU (1%) and non-EU countries (4.6%). In the first five months of the year, the country’s trade deficit was EUR 13.506 billion, lower by EUR 0.9 billion or 6.2% compared to the same period a year ago. Over this period, exports increased by 2.4% to EUR 40.337 billion, supported by higher sales for animal and vegetable oils (119.7%), crude materials (8.7%), food and live animals (8.2%), and mineral fuels (7.5%). In contrast, imports rose at a softer 0.1% to EUR 53.843 billion, with arrivals rising for mineral fuels (7.4%) and machinery and transport equipment (1.4%), while decreasing for animal and vegetable oils (-8.6%).

Romania’s trade deficit narrowed to EUR 3.075 billion in April 2026 from EUR 3.137 billion in the corresponding month a year earlier. Exports rose 4.3% year-on-year to EUR 8.203 billion, supported by stronger shipments to both EU (2.8%) and non-EU markets (8.1%). Meanwhile, imports increased 2.5% to EUR 11.279 billion, driven by higher purchases from the EU (2.1%) and non-EU countries (3.4%). In the first four months of 2026, the trade deficit stood at EUR 10.815 billion, narrowing from EUR 11.633 billion in the same period last year. Over this period, exports rose 1.9% to EUR 32.017 billion, supported by higher sales of transport equipment (1.9%), manufactured goods (4.7%), food and live animals (6.9%), and chemicals and related products (4.6%). In contrast, imports fell 0.5% to EUR 42.833 billion, weighed by lower purchases of manufactured goods (-1.9%), manufactured articles (-3.3%), chemicals and related products (-1.7%), and mineral fuels, lubricants and related (-2.1%).

Romania’s trade deficit widened to EUR 2.927 billion in March 2026, compared with EUR 2.856 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports increased 6.2% year-on-year to a record high of EUR 8.959 billion, supported by stronger shipments to both EU (8.1%) and non-EU (1.4%) countries. Meanwhile, imports rose 5.3% to EUR 11.885 billion, driven by an 8.1% increase in arrivals from EU countries, while imports from non-EU countries fell 2.6%. In the first quarter of the year, the trade deficit reached EUR 7.704 billion. Exports grew 1.1% to EUR 23.812 billion, buoyed by higher sales of machinery and transport equipment (2.9%) and manufactured goods classified mainly by raw materials (3.4%). In contrast, imports fell 1.7% to EUR 31.517, weighed down by lower purchases of miscellaneous manufactured articles (-3%), manufactured goods classified mainly by raw materials (-3.1%), and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (-14.2%).