North Macedonia’s trade deficit widened to $311 million in May 2026, up from $254 million in the same month a year earlier. Imports increased 8.6% year-on-year to $1,189 million, while exports rose 4.4% to $878 million.
Over the January–May period, imports grew 14.4% to $5,813 million, driven by higher purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (up 4.3%), chemicals and related products (up 14.5%), and manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (up 27.3%). Among major trading partners, the sharpest increases in imports were recorded from Great Britain (83.3%), China (17.6%), and Greece (28.7%).
During the same period, exports advanced 13.9% to $4,132 million, supported by stronger shipments of chemicals and related products (up 30.6%), machinery and transport equipment (up 6.2%), and manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (up 11.6%). Export growth was particularly strong to Germany (12.4%), Serbia (20.6%), and Bulgaria (22.3%).
As a result, the trade deficit for the first five months of the year reached $1,681 million.
