Romania's trade deficit soars by more than 25% in Q1 2025

Business Forum
Romania's trade balance deficit (FOB/CIF) reached €8.45 billion in Q1 2025, marking a 26.9% increase (€1.79 billion) compared to the same period of last year, according to data released on Monday by the National Institute of Statistics.

In March 2025, FOB exports totalled €8.4 billion, while CIF imports amounted to €11.3 billion, resulting in a deficit of €2.8 billion.

Compared to March 2024, exports in March 2025 increased by 6.3%, and imports by 8%.

Furthermore, during the period from 1 January to 31 March 2025, FOB exports totalled €23.6 billion (+2.7%), while CIF imports were €32 billion (+8.1%).

Significant shares in the structure of exports and imports are held by the following product groups: machinery and transport equipment (46.2% for exports and 35.2% for imports) and other manufactured goods (27.9% for exports and 27.7% for imports).

According to INS data, the value of intra-EU27 trade in goods in the first three months of this year was €16.7 billion for dispatches and €23.1 billion for arrivals, representing 70.8% of total exports and 72.1% of total imports.

At the same time, the value of extra-EU27 trade in goods was €6.8 billion for exports and €8.9 billion for imports, equivalent to 29.2% of total exports and 27.9% of total imports.

RECOMMENDED
Romanias GDP drops 1.7% in Q1 2026
Economy

Romania's GDP drops 1.7% in Q1 2026

Romania's GDP fell by 0.2% in Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

Romanias trade deficit drops 9.3% in Q1
Economy

Romania's trade deficit drops 9.3% in Q1

Romania's trade deficit fell 9.3% to €7.7 billion in the first three months of 2026, down €792.1 million compared to the same period in 2025, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

Romanias inflation hits 9.87% in March
Economy

Romania's inflation hits 9.87% in March

Romania's annual inflation rate climbed to 9.87% in March from 9.31% in February, driven by an 11.05% increase in services, 10.89% rise in non-food goods, and 7.67% growth in food prices, according to data published by the National Statistics Institute (INS).

Romania retail sales plunge 9.1% in January 2026
Economy

Romania retail sales plunge 9.1% in January 2026

Romania's retail sales volume (excluding automotive and motorcycle trade) dropped 9.1% year-on-year in January 2026 in gross terms, and 6.5% when adjusted for working days and seasonality, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

Romanias economy grows 0.7% in 2025
Economy

Romania's economy grows 0.7% in 2025

Romania's economy grew 0.7% in real terms in 2025 compared to 2024, though GDP fell 1.9% in Q4 compared to the previous quarter, according to provisional data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

Romanias trade deficit drops 2% in 2025
Economy

Romania's trade deficit drops 2% in 2025

Romania's trade deficit decreased by €673 million to €32.7 billion in 2025, representing a 2% improvement compared to 2024, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Industry

Sphera Franchise Group posts sales growth in Q1 2026

Sphera Franchise Group, Romania's largest food service group, reported consolidated sales of €75.6 million in Q1 2026, up 4.2% compared to the same period last year. Growth was driven by the return to positive performance of KFC Romania and the strong evolution of Taco Bell.

Finance

BT posts 30% profit jump in Q1 2026

Banca Transilvania (BT) said its consolidated net profit reached RON 1.14 billion lei (€228 million) in Q1, representing a 30.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Total assets for the group expanded to RON 227 billion lei (€45.4 billion) as the institution neared the milestone of five million active customers.

Real estate

Arcadis signs major lease at Business Garden Bucharest

Vastint Romania has announced a new leasing contract with Arcadis Romania, which will occupy 1,183 sqm in building A of Business Garden Bucharest. The global design, engineering and consultancy company joins a growing community of international tenants at the development.

READ MORE
Business Forum  |  22 May, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Business Forum  |  22 May, 2026 at 1:20 PM