
Source: Sharecast
Initial estimates from Eurostat, the European Commission's statistical office, revealed that exports from the bloc fell 4.7% year-on-year to €205.9bn, while imports declined 3.8% to €204.9bn.
Imports from the rest of the world stood at €204.9bn, a fall of 3.8% compared with August 2024, while intra-euro area trade rose to €1.73bn in January-August, up by 1.4% versus the same period a year earlier.
"In August 2025, the euro area balance experienced a significant decline compared to July 2025, as the surplus decreased from €12.7bn to €1bn. This downturn was mainly due to a sharp reduction in the surplus of machinery and vehicles, which fell from €18bn to €7.8bn," Eurostat said on Thursday.
The wider European Union recorded a trade deficit of €5.8bn for the month, compared with a €2.4bn shortfall in August 2024. EU exports dropped 6.7% to €183.6bn, while imports fell 4.9% to €189.4bn.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com