Slovakia Trade Balance Swings to Surplus in April

Slovakia posted a trade surplus of EUR 580.6 million in May 2026, widening from EUR 521.7 million in the same month last year. This also marked the largest surplus since June 2023, as exports rose faster than imports. Exports climbed 2.3% year-on-year to EUR 9.6 billion, driven largely by a more than 68% jump in shipments of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials. Additionally, exports to the EU grew by more than 4%, while exports to non-EU countries declined by more than 4%. Meanwhile, imports increased 1.7% to EUR 9.1 billion, as inbound shipments of chemicals and related products surged by more than 17%. Imports from EU countries increased by more than 5%, while those from non-EU countries declined by 5%. In the January–May 2026 period, the country's trade surplus widened to EUR 1,293.2 million from EUR 875.9 million in the corresponding period a year earlier.

Slovakia posted a trade surplus of EUR 76.0 million in April 2026, compared with a deficit of EUR 90.1 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, though below market expectations of a EUR 94.4 million surplus. Year-on-year, exports jumped 4.5% to EUR 9,476.9 million, driven largely by an almost 3% rise in shipments of machinery and transport equipment. Additionally, exports to the EU grew nearly 7%, while exports to non-EU countries declined by more than 3%. Meanwhile, imports rose 2.6% to EUR 9,400.9 million, mainly due to higher purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, which increased by nearly 39%. Imports from the EU rose more than 7%, while those from non-EU countries fell by nearly 6%. Over the January–April 2026 period, the country’s trade surplus widened to EUR 760.5 million from EUR 354.2 million in the same period of 2025.

Slovakia posted a trade surplus of EUR 591.5 million in March 2026, widening from EUR 386.5 million in the same month last year. This also marked the largest surplus since June 2023, as exports rose while imports fell. Exports increased by 0.5% year-on-year to EUR 10.1 billion, driven largely by an almost 15% jump in shipments of miscellaneous manufactured articles. Additionally, sales to the EU grew nearly 4%, while sales to non-EU countries declined by almost 10%. Meanwhile, imports dropped by 1.6% to EUR 9.6 billion, due to continued declines across most product categories, specifically in five out of ten sectors. Inbound shipments fell most sharply for machinery and transport equipment, down roughly 4%. Imports from EU countries increased by nearly 5%, while arrivals from non-EU markets were lower by more than 13%. In the January-March 2026 period, the country’s trade surplus expanded to EUR 757.6 million from EUR 444.3 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.