Romania's trade deficit widens to €10.8 bn in first four months of 2026

Romania’s trade balance showed a deficit of €10.8 billion for the first four months of 2026, according to the National Institute of Statistics. The gap is €818.6 million smaller than the same period a year earlier, but imports still outpaced exports. Vehicles and transport equipment dominate trade, accounting for 46.5% of exports and 36.3% of imports, while intra‑EU flows represent over 72% of total merchandise. Analysts warn that the deficit reduction is not driven by stronger domestic firms but by falling consumption, high energy prices and structural weaknesses that have pushed the economy into a technical recession. Reduced imports reflect weakened purchasing power, and the slowdown in services trade further highlights the macro‑economic imbalance.