EU imports of goods outpace exports in Q2 2026
The deficit in the trade balance was primarily due to an increase in the deficit on energy products (from -€71.3 billion in Q1 2026 to -€101.1 billion in Q2 2026), raw materials (from -€7.9 billion to -€9.4 billion) and other manufactured goods (from -€8.3 billion to -€9.1 billion). Additionally, there was a reduction in the surplus of machinery and vehicles (from €24.9 billion in Q1 2026 to €23.2 billion) and other goods (from €11.6 billion to €9.1 billion).
On the other hand, there were surplus increases for chemicals (from €47.1 billion to €54.0 billion) and food and drinks (from €10.7 billion to €11.5 billion).
Source dataset: ext_st_eu27_2020sitc
Overall, exports increased by 5.4% (+€34.9 billion) and imports by 9.9% (+€63.4 billion) compared with the previous quarter.
Exports and imports had been declining since the second quarter of 2025, a trend that halted in the first quarter of 2026. Those declines had been partly attributed to tariff tensions.
Source dataset: ext_st_eu27_2020sitc
For more information
- Statistics Explained article on extra-EU trade in goods - latest developments
- Thematic section on international trade in goods
- Database on international trade in goods
- International trade in goods – a statistical picture
Methodological note
Products are defined according to the standard international trade classification (SITC). The main categories are:
- food, drinks and tobacco (Sections 0 and 1 - including live animals);
- raw materials (Sections 2 and 4);
- energy products (Section 3);
- chemicals and related products (Section 5 - including pharmaceuticals and plastics);
- machinery and transport equipment (Section 7);
- other manufactured goods (Sections 6 and 8);
- other goods (Section 9).
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