Euro area goods trade surplus $18.7 bn in May; EU's $15.18 bn

The €3.5-billion increase was mainly due to a decrease in the energy products deficit—from minus €25.5 billion in May 2024 to minus €21.4 billion in May 2025. The chemicals products also registered an increase in surplus—from €19.5 billion to €24.3 billion.

The eurozone’s exports of goods in May this year were worth €242.6 billion—an increase of 0.9 per cent year on year (YoY), while goods imports stood at €226.5 billion—down by 0.6 per cent YoY, a release from Eurostat said.

In May this year, the euro area balance increased compared to the preceding month, with the total surplus rising from €11.1 billion to €16.2 billion. This improvement was largely driven partly by a rebound in the chemicals and related products, whose surplus grew from €22 billion to €24.3 billion.

Between January and May this year, the area recorded a surplus of €86.5 billion compared with a €81.4-billion surplus in the corresponding period last year.

The area’s exports of goods rose to €1,248.2 billion during the first five months this year—an increase of 4.6 per cent YoY, and goods imports rose to €1,161.7 billion—a YoY increase of 4.5 per cent.

Intra-euro area trade rose to €1,099.6 billion during the five months—up by 1 per cent YoY.

The European Union (EU) balance showed a €13.1-billion (~$15.18 billion) surplus in trade in goods in May this year, compared with a €8.9-billion surplus in the same month last year.

The EU’s exports of goods in May 2025 were worth €216.9 billion—up by 0.1 per cent YoY. Its goods imports stood at €203.8 billion—down by 2 per cent YoY.

In May 2025, the EU trade balance increased compared to the preceding month, with the total surplus rising from €8.5 billion to €13.1 billion.

This improvement was mainly driven by an increase of the surplus in the chemicals and related products—from €20.2 billion to €23.2 billion, and a slight reduction in the energy products deficit—from minus €27.4 billion to minus €24.8 billion.

Compared to May 2024, when the total surplus stood at €8.9 billion, the EU balance in May this year improved by €4.2 billion.

This YoY increase was largely driven by a smaller energy deficit (minus €30 billion in May 2024 versus minus €24.8 billion in May 2025) and by an increase of surplus in the chemicals products (from €18 billion to €23.2 billion).

Between January and May this year, the EU recorded a trade surplus of €72 billion compared with €72.6 billion in the same period last year.

The extra-EU exports of goods rose to €1,126.7 billion during the period—an increase of 5.2 per cent YoY, and imports rose to €1,054.7 billion—an increase of 5.6 per cent YoY.

Intra-EU trade rose to €1,725.8 billion in January-May 2025—a 1.2-per cent rise YoY.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)