FX.co ★ Romania Trade Deficit Largest in 20 Months

Romania’s trade deficit widened to EUR 3.138 billion in August 2026, up from EUR 2.635 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking the highest gap since December 2024. Exports rose by 11.6% year-on-year to EUR 7.554 billion, supported by stronger shipments to both EU markets (+14.5%) and non-EU destinations (+5.1%).

Imports increased at an even faster pace, advancing 13.7% to EUR 10.692 billion, fueled by higher purchases from EU partners (+11.5%) as well as from non-EU markets (+18.5%).

Over the January–August period, exports grew 4.0% to EUR 65.825 billion, driven mainly by higher sales of machinery and transport equipment (+2.1%), manufactured goods classified chiefly by raw materials (+7.1%), and food and live animals (+9.8%). During the same interval, imports rose 3.4% to EUR 88.270 billion, reflecting increased inflows of machinery and transport equipment (+4.5%), chemicals and related products (+5.7%), and mineral fuels, lubricants, and related products (+14.5%).

As a result, Romania’s trade deficit for the first eight months of the year reached EUR 22.445 billion.