European trade trends show Italian surplus and Greek olive oil decline

In June 2026, Italy reported a trade surplus of 4,232 million euros. Exports grew by 1.6% compared to the previous month, driven largely by a 6.7% increase in sales to the EU, while exports to non-EU areas fell by 3.6%. On an annual basis, Italian exports rose by 9.8% in value and 5.1% in volume. Key growth sectors included refined petroleum products, metals, and vehicles, with Germany providing the largest positive contribution to national exports.

Conversely, Greece experienced a significant decline in olive oil exports. During the first half of 2026, the value of olive oil exports fell by 18.5%, dropping from 559.2 million to 455.6 million dollars. This downturn intensified in June, with a 21.6% decrease compared to the previous year. This decline contrasts with Greece's overall export growth of 26.3% during the same period, leading industry experts to suggest a potential structural shift or change in market paradigm for the Greek olive oil sector.