The first estimates of euro area balance showed a €11.5 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in February 2026, compared with + €23.1 bn in February 2025.
The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world in February 2026 were €232.4 billion, a decrease of 6.7% compared with February 2025 (€249.1 bn).
Imports from the rest of the world stood at €220.9 bn, a fall of 2.2% compared with February 2025 (€225.9 bn).
In February 2026, the euro area trade balance reached a surplus of €11.5 bn, following a deficit of €1.0 bn in January 2026. This improvement was primarily driven by the machinery and vehicles sector, where the surplus rose from €1.5 bn in January 2026 to €10.2 bn in February 2026.
Compared with February 2025, when the euro area recorded a surplus of €23.1 bn, the latest figure shows a decrease of €11.6 bn. This change reflects mixed sectoral performance over the year. The chemicals sector saw a notable decrease, with its surplus falling from €30.4 bn in February 2025 to €16.2 bn in February 2026. Similarly, the machinery and vehicles sector experienced a decline, with its surplus dropping from €14.2 bn to €10.2 bn over the same period.
Meanwhile, the energy sector continued to reduce its deficit, improving from €-25.2 bn in February 2025 to €-20.0 bn in February 2026.
In January to February 2026, the euro area recorded a surplus of €10.6 bn, compared with €21.8 bn in January-February 2025.
The euro area exports of goods to the rest of the world fell to €447.5 bn (a decrease of 7.2% compared with January-February 2025), and imports fell to €436.9 bn (a decrease of 5.1% compared with January-February 2025).
Intra-euro area trade fell to €432.7 bn in January-February 2026, down by 1.5% compared with January-February 2025.
European Union
The EU balance showed a €9.1 bn surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in February 2026, compared with +€22.9 bn in February 2025.
The extra-EU exports of goods in February 2026 were €204.7 billion, down by 9.3% compared with February 2025 (€225.8 bn).
Imports from the rest of the world stood at €195.7 bn, down by 3.5% compared with February 2025 (€202.8 bn).
In February 2026, the EU trade balance moved to a surplus of €9.1 bn, following a deficit of €5.6 bn in January 2026. This shift was largely due to the recovery in the machinery and vehicles sector, where the surplus increased from €1.8 bn in January 2026 to €11.5 bn in February 2026.
When compared to February 2025, which saw a surplus of €22.9 bn, the latest figure marks a decrease of €13.8 bn. This change highlights varied performance across sectors. The chemicals and related products sector experienced a significant drop, with its surplus declining from €28.7 bn in February 2025 to €14.8 bn in February 2026. The machinery and vehicles sector also saw a reduction in its surplus, falling from €18.9 bn to €11.5 bn over the same period.
Meanwhile, the energy sector continued to narrow its deficit, improving from €-27.6 bn in February 2025 to €-22.1 bn in February 2026.
In January to February 2026, the EU recorded a surplus of €3.5 bn, compared with €17.5 bn in January-February 2025.
The extra-EU exports of goods fell to €394.4 bn (a decrease of 9.5% compared with January-February 2025), and imports fell to €390.9 bn (a decrease of 6.6% compared with January-February 2025).
Intra-EU trade fell to €676.1 bn in January-February 2026, down by 0.3% compared with January-February 2025.
Annex – Seasonally adjusted data
In February 2026 compared with January 2026, euro area seasonally adjusted exports increased by 0.9%, while imports increased by 3.5%. The seasonally adjusted balance was €7.0 bn, a fall compared with January (€12.8 bn).
In February 2026 compared with January 2026, EU seasonally adjusted exports increased by 0.2%, while imports increased by 3.6%. The seasonally adjusted balance was €3.7 bn, a fall compared with January (€10.4 bn).
In December-February 2026, euro area exports to non-euro area countries fell by 1.2%, while imports fell by 0.1%. Intra-euro area trade fell by 0.1%.During the same period, EU exports to non-EU countries decreased by 1.3%, while imports rose by 0.1%. Intra-EU trade increased by 0.3%.
Revisions and timetable
This News Release is based on information transmitted by Member States to Eurostat before 13 Apr 2026. Because extra‑EU data for Greece were not available for February 2026, the Euro area and EU aggregates include estimates produced by Eurostat.
Figures are provisional. For more details, see information on data.
Methods and definitions
Statistics on trade in goods are transmitted monthly by the Member States, in accordance with the standard set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197. For each reference month, Member States must compile statistics covering their total extra- and intra-EU trade by using estimates, where necessary. These data are available within 40 days after the end of the reference month, enabling euro area and EU aggregates to be disseminated within around 46 days.
Member States provide Eurostat with raw data, which are adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects by Eurostat. The European aggregates are computed with the indirect approach (by Member States) for total imports and exports, which guarantees additivity between the aggregate and its respective components. The estimation of seasonally adjusted data is based on the Tramo-Seats procedure, which is available in the software JDemetra+.
Data are broken down by broad categories of products as defined by the one-digit codes of the Standard international trade classification (SITC).
Geographical information
Euro area (EA21): Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.
The European Union (EU27) includes Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.
Source: Eurostat
