2026.07.1006:34:54UTC+00Romania 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 same month a year earlier. Exports rose by 4.5% year-on-year to EUR 8.325 billion, supported by stronger shipments to both EU markets (up 3%) and non-EU markets (up 8.6%). Imports increased at a slower pace, by 1.9% to EUR 10.941 billion, reflecting higher purchases from EU countries (up 1%) and non-EU countries (up 4.6%).

Over the first five months of the year, the trade deficit amounted to EUR 13.506 billion, down by EUR 0.9 billion, or 6.2%, compared with the same period a year earlier. During this interval, exports grew by 2.4% to EUR 40.337 billion, driven by higher sales of animal and vegetable oils (up 119.7%), crude materials (up 8.7%), food and live animals (up 8.2%), and mineral fuels (up 7.5%). By contrast, imports edged up just 0.1% to EUR 53.843 billion, with inflows increasing for mineral fuels (up 7.4%) and machinery and transport equipment (up 1.4%), but declining for animal and vegetable oils (down 8.6%).