Slovakia Trade Surplus Widens in February

Slovakia posted a trade surplus of EUR 321.6 million in February 2026, widening from EUR 210.3 million in the same month last year. This also marked the largest surplus since October last year, as exports fell less than imports. Exports declined by 1.3% year-on-year to EUR 9.3 billion, driven largely by an almost 24% drop in shipments of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, including energy commodities. Additionally, sales to EU and non-EU countries both decreased by 1% and 3%, respectively. Meanwhile, imports dropped more markedly by 2.5% to EUR 8.9 billion, due to continued declines in purchases across most product categories, specifically in six out of ten sectors. Inbound shipments fell most sharply for mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, down 16%. Imports from EU countries increased by nearly 5%, while arrivals were lower by more than 14% from non-EU markets.

Slovakia's trade deficit narrowed sharply to EUR 33.1 million in January 2026 from EUR 152.5 million in the same month last year, missing market expectations of a EUR 133.7 million surplus, as exports fell at a softer pace than imports. Exports declined by 2.8% year-on-year to EUR 8,355.7 million, marking the first drop in four months, mainly driven by a 2.7% decrease in shipments of machinery and transport equipment, including cars. Sales to the EU rose by 1.4%, while those to non-EU countries tumbled by 18.3%. Meanwhile, imports decreased by 4.1% to EUR 8,388.8 million, the largest fall since June 2024, with nine out of ten product categories recording declines. The drop was largely due to a 4.6% fall in purchases of machinery and transport equipment, including motor vehicle parts. Inbound shipments from the EU increased by 10.7%, while imports from non-EU countries fell by 25.7%.

Slovakia posted a trade deficit of EUR 162.7 million in December 2025, narrowing sharply from a EUR 743.1 million deficit in the same month last year, as exports rose while imports fell. Exports grew by 7% year-on-year to EUR 8,188.0 million, the second-highest growth rate after March, driven mainly by an almost 5% increase in shipments of machinery and transport equipment, including car exports. Meanwhile, imports decreased by 0.5% to EUR 8,350.7 million, with five out of ten product categories recording declines. The slight drop was largely due to a more than 28% decline in imports of mineral fuels, which includes oil, electricity, and natural gas. For 2025 as a whole, Slovakia recorded a trade surplus of EUR 2.73 billion, an increase of EUR 63.7 million from the previous year. Exports to non-EU countries were more than 1% higher in 2025, while those to the EU rose by over 4%. Imports from non-EU countries increased by around 7%, while those from the EU were up by more than 2%.