Euro area trade surplus eases to $14.95 bn in December

Exports rose 3.4 per cent year on year (YoY) to €234 billion, compared with €226.3 billion a year earlier. Imports increased at a faster pace of 4.2 per cent to €221.3 billion, up from €212.4 billion in December 2024, Eurostat said in a press release.

On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, the euro area balance improved from November 2025 to reach €12.6 billion. However, compared with December 2024, the surplus declined by €1.3 billion, largely reflecting weaker sectoral surpluses.

Surpluses in other manufactured goods, and raw materials narrowed during the period. In contrast, the energy deficit eased significantly to -€19.1 billion from -€24.5 billion, providing partial support to the overall balance.

For the full year, the euro area posted a €164.6 billion (~$195.26 billion) surplus in January-December 2025, slightly below €168.9 billion in 2024. Annual exports rose 2.4 per cent to €2,937.9 billion, while imports increased 2.7 per cent to €2,773.3 billion. Intra-euro area trade expanded 2.0 per cent to €2,627.6 billion.

Seasonally adjusted data showed euro area exports rising 1.1 per cent MoM in December, with imports up 0.6 per cent. The adjusted surplus widened to €11.6 billion from €10.2 billion in November. However, in the fourth quarter, exports to non-euro area countries declined 0.7 per cent, while imports fell 1.0 per cent.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) recorded a €12.9 billion (~$15.3 billion) trade surplus in December 2025, down from €14.2 billion in December 2024.

Extra-EU exports rose 2.2 per cent YoY to €214.8 billion, while imports increased 3.0 per cent to €201.9 billion. Compared with November 2025, the EU surplus improved, but on an annual basis it narrowed by €1.3 billion.

The decline was driven by a reduced surplus in chemicals and related products, which fell to €16.2 billion from €19.7 billion. Machinery and vehicles saw their surplus ease to €16.3 billion from €18.3 billion, while other manufactured goods shifted from a €1.0 billion surplus to a €1.9 billion deficit. The energy deficit improved markedly to €-21.9 billion from €-28.0 billion.

Primary goods exports fell 2.7 per cent YoY to €32.4 billion, while imports declined 11.0 per cent to €53.4 billion. Energy imports dropped 19.9 per cent, reflecting lower values, even as manufactured goods imports climbed 8.9 per cent.

For the full year 2025, the EU posted a €133.5 billion (~158.36 billion) surplus, compared with €140.6 billion in 2024. Extra-EU exports rose 2.0 per cent to €2,645.0 billion, while imports increased 2.4 per cent to €2,511.5 billion. Intra-EU trade grew 2.6 per cent to €4,142.9 billion.

Seasonally adjusted figures showed EU exports up 1.1 per cent MoM in December and imports up 0.6 per cent, lifting the surplus to €8.8 billion from €7.7 billion in November. However, in the final quarter of 2025, exports to non-EU countries fell 0.8 per cent and imports declined 1.4 per cent, signalling softer external demand towards year-end.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)