Romania's trade deficit drops 9.3% in Q1

Business Forum

11 May, 2026 at 5:30 PM

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).

Machinery and transport equipment accounted for the largest share of both exports (46.8%) and imports (36.6%), while other manufactured products represented 27.2% of exports and 27.3% of imports.

Between January and March 2026, FOB exports totaled €23.8 billion while CIF imports reached €31.5 billion. Exports grew 1.1% while imports decreased 1.7% compared to Q1 2025.

In March 2026 alone, exports reached €9.0 billion and imports €11.9 billion, resulting in a monthly deficit of €2.9 billion. Year-on-year, March exports increased 6.2% while imports rose 5.3%.

Intra-EU trade represented 73% of total exports at €17.4 billion and 75% of total imports at €23.6 billion. Extra-EU trade accounted for €6.4 billion in exports and €7.9 billion in imports.

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