The European Union recorded a goods trade surplus of €16.2 billion in May 2025, up from €12.7 billion in May 2024, driven by higher exports and lower imports. Strong performances in the chemicals and machinery sectors contributed to the improvement. The EU also saw its surplus rise to €13.1 billion, supported by reduced energy deficits and stable export growth.
European Union Trade Surplus Rises to €16.2 Billion in May 2025
The European Union posted a trade surplus of €16.2 billion in goods with the rest of the world in May 2025, marking an improvement from the €12.7 billion surplus recorded in May 2024. This growth was driven by a rise in exports and a decline in imports, alongside a strong performance from key product sectors such as chemicals and machinery.
Monthly Trade Overview – May 2025
Exports of goods from the European Union totaled €242.6 billion in May 2025, showing a modest increase of 0.9% compared to €240.6 billion in the same month last year. Meanwhile, imports declined slightly by 0.6%, falling to €226.5 billion from €227.9 billion in May 2024.
The monthly surplus also improved compared to April 2025, rising from €11.1 billion to €16.2 billion. This increase was largely attributed to a rebound in the chemicals and related products sector, where the surplus rose from €22.0 billion in April to €24.3 billion in May. Machinery and vehicles also contributed positively, with the surplus in this segment increasing from €12.1 billion to €12.9 billion.
A year-on-year comparison revealed that the total surplus rose by €3.5 billion. This improvement was primarily driven by a significant reduction in the energy products deficit, which shrank from –€25.5 billion in May 2024 to –€21.4 billion in May 2025. Additionally, the chemicals sector recorded a jump in its surplus, increasing from €19.5 billion to €24.3 billion.
Year-to-Date Performance (January–May 2025)
Between January and May 2025, the euro area recorded a cumulative trade surplus of €86.5 billion, up from €81.4 billion during the same period in 2024. During this five-month span, exports grew by 4.6% to €1,248.2 billion, while imports rose by 4.5% to €1,161.7 billion.
Intra-European Union trade also expanded, reaching €1,099.6 billion between January and May 2025, representing a 1% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
EU-Wide Trade Performance
Across the broader European Union, the trade balance in goods also showed improvement. In May 2025, the European Union recorded a surplus of €13.1 billion, up from €8.9 billion in May 2024. EU exports to non-EU countries reached €216.9 billion, a marginal increase from €216.8 billion a year earlier. Meanwhile, imports declined more noticeably by 2.0% to €203.8 billion, down from €207.9 billion in May 2024.
The European Union’s month-on-month surplus rose from €8.5 billion in April to €13.1 billion in May. As with the euro area, this improvement was largely fueled by a stronger chemicals surplus, which rose from €20.2 billion to €23.2 billion. The energy products deficit also narrowed from –€27.4 billion to –€24.8 billion.
Year-on-year, the European Union trade balance rose by €4.2 billion. This gain was driven mainly by a smaller energy deficit (–€30.0 billion in May 2024 vs. –€24.8 billion in May 2025) and a higher chemicals surplus (up from €18.0 billion to €23.2 billion). However, this was partially offset by a decline in machinery and vehicles surplus (from €16.8 billion to €14.6 billion) and a shift in other manufactured goods from a €0.8 billion surplus to a €1.1 billion deficit.
From January to May 2025, the European Union recorded a trade surplus of €72.0 billion, slightly lower than the €72.6 billion posted during the same period in 2024. Extra-EU exports rose by 5.2% to €1,126.7 billion, while imports increased by 5.6% to €1,054.7 billion. Intra-EU trade also saw growth, reaching €1,725.8 billion, up by 1.2%.
Monthly Trends from Eurostat Trade Chart
According to the monthly year-on-year percentage change data for the euro area’s international trade in goods:
- In June 2024, exports dropped nearly 8% while imports declined by about 10%.
- July 2024 saw a rebound with exports increasing by around 9% and imports up by 4%.
- From August through November 2024, growth remained subdued, with occasional dips (e.g., August exports down ~3%).
- Starting December 2024, the trade performance improved gradually, with both exports and imports rising steadily.
- The strongest gains were observed in March 2025, with exports surging nearly 14% and imports up by nearly 10%.
- April 2025 saw a slight contraction in exports (~–2%) while imports were flat.
- In May 2025, exports rose modestly (
1%) and imports were slightly negative (–0.2%).
This trend shows a clear post-winter recovery in both exports and imports, culminating in March 2025, followed by stabilization.