Finland recorded a trade deficit of EUR 1.15 billion in August 2026, up from EUR 0.81 billion in the same month a year earlier, according to preliminary estimates. This was the largest trade gap since August 2022, as import growth outpaced that of exports.
Exports increased 21.8% year-on-year to EUR 6.33 billion, driven by strong sales to both non-EU countries (+49.3%) and EU markets (+4.5%). The biggest gains were seen in exports to the United States (+224.3%), Thailand (+74.9%), Switzerland (+66.0%), Australia (+33.7%), and Turkey (+29.4%).
Imports, however, rose even faster, climbing 24.5% to EUR 7.47 billion. It is worth noting that, as of January 2026, imports from EU countries are compiled using a new methodology, meaning only total import figures are directly comparable with those for 2025.
Over the first eight months of 2026, Finland’s trade deficit widened sharply to EUR 2.80 billion, compared with EUR 0.19 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year.
