Euro area & EU trade surpluses narrow sharply in June 2025

Compared with May 2025, the surplus also shrank from €16.5 billion, driven mainly by a weaker chemicals surplus, which dropped to €15.1 billion from €24.4 billion.

YoY, the decline of €13.7 billion in the euro area surplus reflected lower balances in chemicals (€20.6 billion to €15.1 billion), machinery & vehicles (€17.4 billion to €13.6 billion) and other manufactured goods, which swung from a €2.4 billion surplus to a €0.4 billion deficit.

For January–June 2025, the euro area recorded a €93.3 billion (~$108.49 billion) surplus, down from €102 billion (~$118.60 billion) a year earlier, as exports rose 3.9 per cent to €1,485.8 billion and imports rose 4.9 per cent to €1,392.5 billion. Intra-euro area trade also increased 1.3 per cent to €1,319.5 billion, the European Union said in a release.

The wider European Union posted an €8 billion (~$9.30 billion) surplus in June 2025, sharply lower than the €20.3 billion (~$23.60 billion) recorded in June 2024. Extra-EU exports were stable at €213.7 billion, while imports surged 6.4 per cent to €205.7 billion.

Month-on-month, the surplus narrowed from €13 billion in May, as the chemicals surplus fell from €23.2 billion to €14.3 billion, partly offset by a reduced energy deficit (–€23.4 billion versus –€25.2 billion) and a slightly stronger machinery & vehicles balance (€16.4 billion versus €15.0 billion).

Compared with June 2024, the EU’s trade balance contracted by €12.3 billion due to declines in chemicals (€19.1 billion to €14.3 billion), machinery & vehicles (€21.3 billion to €16.4 billion) and other manufactured goods (from a €1.9 billion surplus to a €1.4 billion deficit), despite the smaller energy gap.

For January–June 2025, the EU recorded an €80.1 billion (~$93.14 billion) surplus, down from €92.9 billion a year earlier. Exports rose 4.4 per cent to €1,341.1 billion, while imports increased 5.8 per cent to €1,261 billion. Intra-EU trade grew 1.4 per cent to €2,071 billion.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)