Eurozone registers sharp drop in trade surplus to 7.000 billion euros

El euro area trade surplus It fell sharply to €7.000 billion in June 2025, significantly lower than the €20.700 billion recorded in the same period the previous year. The decline, which represents a contraction of more than 65%, is mainly due to a significant increase in imports.

The preliminary data, published by Eurostat, reveal that the Eurozone merchandise exports grew modestly 0,4% year-on-year, reaching 237.200 billion euros. In contrast, Imports experienced a sharp increase by 6,8%, reaching 230.200 billion euros.

Sector breakdown and half-year trends

The decline in the surplus is largely explained by the contraction in key sectors. The surplus in the chemicals sector fell from €20.600 billion in June 2024 to €15.100 billion in June 2025. Similarly, the surplus in machinery and vehicles also narrowed from €17.400 billion to €13.600 billion. Furthermore, other manufactured products fell from a surplus of €2.400 billion to a deficit of €0.400 billion.

In the cumulative first half of the year (January-June 2025), the euro area surplus was €93.300 billion, a figure lower than the €102.000 billion for the same period in 2024. This decrease occurs despite the fact that Half-yearly exports increased by 3,9% y imports by 4,9%.

The European Union also feels the impact

The picture is similar for the European Union as a whole. The EU trade surplus stood at €8.000 billion in June, down from €20.300 billion in June of the previous year.

Extra-EU exports remained stable at €213.700 billion, while imports grew by 6,4%, reaching €205.700 billion. The chemical and vehicle sector also underperformed, with a significant reduction in its surplus.