Romania started 2026 with a trade deficit of 2.3 billion euros, smaller than last year. Imports decreased more than exports, but the country continues to buy more than it sells.

Romania reported a trade deficit of 2.3 billion euros in January 2026, a decrease of 2.7 billion euros compared to the same month last year. Although the country continues to import more than it exports, the pace of imports has slowed, with a decrease of 7.7% compared to the previous year, compared to a decrease of 4.7% in exports. Almost 73% of exports and 72% of imports come from the European Union, highlighting Romania's economic integration into the European market. The most important exports are machinery and transport equipment, while imports include machinery, chemical products, and manufactured goods. Romania exports chemical products worth approximately 422 million euros but imports over 1.4 billion euros, indicating a high dependence on imports in this sector. Additionally, food imports have decreased by 16.3%, and the energy sector has recorded declines in both exports and imports. The trade deficit is an important indicator of economic health, showing dependence on imports and its impact on the exchange rate. Although the deficit has decreased, Romania continues to have a significant imbalance between imports and exports.