Euro area trade surplus narrows sharply in Jan. ’25

The euro area posted a €1.0 billion trade surplus in goods with the rest of the world in January 2025, significantly down from €10.6 billion in January 2024, as import growth outpaced exports, according to the latest data from the Eurostat.

Exports rose 3.0 per cent year-on-year to €232.6 billion, while imports increased 7.6 per cent to €231.5 billion.

The monthly surplus also substantially dropped from €15.4 billion in December 2024.

The decline was driven by weaker balances in machinery and vehicles, which fell from €16.5 billion in December to €7.4 billion in January, and other manufactured goods, shifting from a €1.2 billion surplus to a €4.6 billion deficit.

For 2024 as a whole, the euro area recorded a €173.8 billion surplus, up from €57.4 billion in 2023, as exports rose 0.5 per cent to €2.86 trillion and imports fell 3.6 per cent to €2.69 trillion.

Intra-euro area trade declined by 2.9 per cent to €2.57 trillion.

The EU recorded a €5.4 billion trade deficit in January 2025, reversing from a €6.7 billion surplus a year earlier.

Exports grew 4.4 per cent to €208.7 billion, while imports jumped 10.9 per cent to €214.1 billion.

The EU’s trade balance also swung from a €15.9 billion surplus in December 2024 to a deficit, mainly due to weaker machinery and vehicle exports.

For 2024, the EU reported a €147.0 billion surplus, up from €34.4 billion in 2023, with exports rising 1.1 per cent to €2.58 trillion and imports falling 3.4 per cent to €2.44 trillion. Intra-EU trade declined by 2.2 per cent to €4.03 trillion.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser

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