The Eurozone's trade deficit stood at 1.900 billion euros in January following a drop in machinery and vehicles

 

Analysis of foreign trade in the Eurozone and the EU

 

In January 2026, the Eurozona It recorded a trade deficit of 1.900 billion euros in the exchange of goods with the rest of the world, compared to the negative 1.400 billion euros reported in the same month of 2025. This result is mainly due to a contraction of 7,6% in exports, which totaled 215.300 billion euros, and a drop of 7,3% in imports, which stood at 217.200 billion.

 

The change in trend is significant when compared to the 2025 close. Eurozona It has gone from a surplus of €11.200 billion in December 2025 to this initial deficit for the year. The determining factor has been the sector of machinery and vehicleswhose surplus plummeted from 13.200 billion euros to just 1.600 billion in only one month.

 

Performance by sector and year-on-year comparison

 

The year-on-year evolution shows mixed dynamics in the key categories of foreign trade. The sector of chemical and related products Its surplus was reduced from €24.600 billion in January 2025 to €16.700 billion in January 2026. Conversely, the energy sector It showed a substantial improvement by reducing its trade deficit from 26.200 billion euros to 19.200 billion euros in the last year.

 

In the set of Unión Europea (UEThe balance for January 2026 showed a deficit of €5.900 billion. Exports outside the EU fell by 10%, reaching €189.200 billion, while imports decreased by 9,5%, totaling €195.100 billion.

 

Indicator (January 2026)	Eurozone (EA)	European Union (EU)
Exports of goods	215,3 billion € (-7,6%)	189,2 billion € (-10,0%)
Imports of goods	217,2 billion € (-7,3%)	195,1 billion € (-9,5%)
Trade balance	-1,9 billion €	-5,9 billion €
Machinery/Vehicle Surplus	1,6 billion €	1,7 billion €

 

Consolidated balance sheet for the year 2025

 

Despite the deficit start in 2026, the consolidated data for 2025 show that the Eurozona The year ended with a surplus of 149.900 billion euros, although slightly lower than the 159.000 billion euros of 2024. Total exports during the past year grew by 2,4%, while imports grew by 2,8%.

 

Meanwhile, intra-eurozone trade increased by 2% in 2025, reaching €2.670.200 billion. Unión EuropeaTrade between member states (intra-EU) showed greater robustness with a growth of 2,7%, exceeding 4,1 trillion euros.

 

Seasonal adjustment and recent trends

 

If the seasonally adjusted data is analyzed, the situation shows a different nuance: both in the Eurozona as in the UEThe adjusted balance for January 2026 was positive, with 12.100 billion and 10.300 billion euros respectively, which represents an increase compared to the adjusted data for December.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about European foreign trade

What was the main cause of the deficit in January 2026?

The deficit was driven primarily by the collapse of the surplus in the sector of machinery and vehicles, which in the Eurozone went from 13.200 billion euros in December to 1.600 billion in January.

How did the energy sector evolve compared to the previous year?

The energy sector significantly improved its position, reducing its deficit in the Eurozona from 26.200 billion euros in January 2025 to 19.200 billion in January 2026.

What trend did the internal trade of the European Union follow in 2025?

Intra-EU trade maintained a positive trend throughout 2025, registering an increase of 2,7% compared to the previous year, with a total volume of 4.143.200 million euros.