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4 clusters · 9 sources · 18 days · First seen · Last updated

Greek trade performance and bilateral relations

Overview

In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade between Greece and Italy reached 6.35 billion euros, a 5.4% increase from the same period in 2025. Greek exports to Italy rose by 7.46%, driven largely by an 82.2% increase in mineral fuels and mineral oils, alongside growth in aluminum, dairy, and fruit. Imports from Italy to Greece grew by 4.15% during this period.

By the end of the first eight months of 2026, Greece reported a 3.8% decrease in its cumulative trade deficit, totaling €21,183.4 million. While the trade deficit for the specific month of August 2026 increased by 3.6% compared to August 2025, total exports for that month saw a significant rise of 26.7% to €4,261.1 million, outpacing a 17.7% increase in imports. Data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) indicates that total Greek goods exports reached 37.1 billion euros during the January–August 2026 period, a 16.5% increase over 2025. Non-petroleum exports rose by 7.6% to 26.4 billion euros, contributing to a 5.3% reduction in the trade deficit when excluding petroleum products.

Deputy Foreign Minister Charis Theocharis noted that these figures indicate an expansion of the country’s export base and a strengthening of the economy’s resilience, emphasizing that the positive trend extends into the broader productive core, including manufacturing and agriculture.

More recent data indicates a shift toward a widening trade deficit specifically with Italy. Greek exports to Italy have dropped by over 15% to 4.458 billion euros, while imports remained relatively stable at 7.456 billion euros. This decline was primarily driven by a near 50% collapse in petroleum product exports. Despite this, non-energy sectors showed resilience, with Greek seafood exports increasing by 13.26% and dairy by 24.28%. Conversely, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment sectors experienced substantial declines.

Entities

Greece · ELSTAT · Italy · Hellenic Statistical Authority · European Union

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Greece exports grow 16.5% from January to August 2026

    Greece's exports grew 16.5% from January to August 2026, reaching 37.1 billion euros and narrowing the trade deficit.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Greece reports 16.5% increase in goods exports through August 2026

    Greek goods exports rose 16.5% to 37.1 billion euros between January and August 2026, helping to reduce the total trade deficit by 3.8% according to ELSTAT data.

  3. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Greece faces widening trade deficit with Italy

    Greece faces a widening 2.98 billion euro trade deficit with Italy due to falling exports, despite overall national trade deficits showing a 3.8% reduction over the first eight months of 2026.

  4. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Greece-Italy trade reaches 6.35 billion euros in H1 2026

    Trade between Greece and Italy rose 5.4% to 6.35 billion euros in the first half of 2026, driven by an 82.2% surge in Greek mineral fuel exports.

Sources

businessam.be · capital.gr · cn.dailyeconomic.com · epixeiro.gr · newsit.gr · ot.gr · sbctv.gr · sofokleousin.gr · tanea.gr

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history