Sweden’s trade deficit widened to SEK 11.9 billion in August 2026, up from SEK 8.7 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking the largest shortfall since August 2022 as imports grew faster than exports. Imports increased 12% year-on-year to SEK 171.8 billion, driven by higher purchases from both EU countries (+11.2% to SEK 110.5 billion) and non-EU markets (+13.5% to SEK 61.3 billion). Exports rose 10.5% to SEK 159.9 billion, supported by stronger sales to the EU (+15% to SEK 91.9 billion) and to non-EU destinations (+4.9% to SEK 68 billion).
Over the first eight months of 2026, Sweden registered a trade deficit of SEK 2.7 billion, a sharp improvement from SEK 42.7 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the trade balance showed a surplus of SEK 1.7 billion in August, slightly higher than the SEK 1.5 billion surplus recorded in July.
