2025.09.1509:20:19UTC+00Euro Area Trade Surplus Narrows on Rising Imports

In July 2025, the trade surplus for the Euro Area decreased to €12.4 billion, a reduction from the €18.5 billion recorded in the same month the previous year. However, this figure slightly surpassed market forecasts, which anticipated a surplus of €11.7 billion. Import levels rose by 3.1%, reaching €239.1 billion, marking their highest value since March. This rise was mainly attributed to increased acquisitions of food and drinks, which surged by 9.3%, chemicals by 10.6%, and machinery and vehicles by 2.0%. On the export front, there was a modest growth of 0.4%, totaling €251.5 billion. This growth was bolstered by higher shipments of food and drinks, up by 2.8%, and machinery and vehicles, which rose by 3.5%. Nonetheless, the overall export performance was hindered by declines in categories such as raw materials, which fell by 4.7%, fuels and lubricants by 18.5%, and chemicals by 6.0%.