The euro area trade balance shifted to a deficit in April due to the surge in imports, according to official data released Monday.
The trade balance showed a shortfall of €1.0 billion ($1.16 billion) compared to a surplus of €4.9 billion in March. In the same period last year, the trade surplus totaled €8.7 billion.
The decline was primarily driven by an increase in the energy deficit and by a reduced surplus in the machinery and vehicles product group, Eurostat reported.
Exports of goods rebounded 5.0% in April, in contrast to the 5.1% fall in March. At the same time, growth in imports accelerated to 9.3% from 5.9% a month ago.
On a monthly basis, exports gained by a seasonally adjusted 3.2% and imports climbed 2.9%. As a result, the trade surplus rose to €1.3 billion from €0.6 billion in March.
During January to April, the trade surplus totalled €12.9 billion, which was down sharply from €63.7 billion in the same period of 2025 as exports dropped 3.6%, while imports rose 1.5%.
The European Union balance showed a €7.1 billion deficit in trade in goods with the rest of the world in April, compared with a surplus of €2.3 billion a month ago.
