Cyprus’ trade deficit widened sharply to EUR 942.6 million in July 2026, up from EUR 743.8 million in the same month a year earlier, according to preliminary estimates. This was the largest deficit since April and reflected a strong rise in imports, which jumped 22.8% year-on-year to EUR 1,609.4 million. The increase was supported by higher purchases from both EU member states, up 5.6% to EUR 787.6 million, and non-EU countries, up 45.4% to EUR 821.6 million. The import figures also included the transfer of economic ownership of vessels worth EUR 136.1 million, compared with EUR 23.4 million in July of the previous year.
Exports also rose, advancing 17.6% to EUR 666.8 million. This growth was driven mainly by higher shipments to non-EU destinations, which surged 36.9% to EUR 539.0 million, while exports to EU countries fell 26.3% to EUR 127.8 million. Transfers of vessels and aircraft on the export side amounted to EUR 35.3 million, down from EUR 68.5 million a year earlier.
Over the January–July period, the trade deficit widened to EUR 5,620.1 million, compared with EUR 4,798.9 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.
