Romania’s trade gap widens by 32% y/y in February amid weak exports
<p>Romania’s foreign trade deficit widened by 32% y/y to EUR 2.74 billion in February, as the exports edged down while the imports continued to increase, according to data published by the statistics office INS.</p>

<p>The external balance had deteriorated by 39% y/y in January, reversing the slight improvement in the second half of last year when the Romanian exporters’ performance improved moderately by 0.7% y/y in Q2 and 2.7% y/y in Q4. On a broader perspective, Romania’s exports have stagnated in nominal terms over the past three years – while the imports picked up slightly, particularly in 2024, pushing up the trade gap.</p>

<p>In February, Romania’s exports contracted by 0.7% y/y to EUR 7.90 billion, while the imports increased by 6.3% y/y to EUR 10.77 billion.</p>

<p>The foreign trade posted stronger annual growth rates in January, but the spread was also significant: while the exports increased by 2.4% y/y, the imports advanced by 10.3% y/y, resulting in a 39% y/y wider trade gap (EUR 2.74 billion).</p>

<p>In January-February, the faint 0.7% y/y advance of exports was driven by the 50% y/y higher exports of fuels, 16% y/y more exports of chemicals, and 24% y/y larger exports of beverages and tobacco (particularly tobacco) – while most of the other sectors posted negative performances.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 8.2% y/y advance of imports in the same two-month period of 2025 was fueled by 33% larger import of fuels and 10% y/y more imports of chemicals while no sector posted negative dynamics.</p>

<p><em>iulian@romania-insider.com</em></p>

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