In March 2025, Austria experienced a trade deficit of EUR 0.89 billion, a significant change from the surplus of EUR 0.39 billion recorded in March of the previous year. This shift was largely due to an increase in imports, which rose by 7.6% year-on-year to reach EUR 17.5 billion. The rise was chiefly driven by a 12.6% increase in the importation of chemical products, overshadowing a 6.6% decrease in fuels and energy imports. The import growth was evident in both non-EU countries (+15.7%) and EU countries (+3.8%).
On the other hand, exports saw a slight decline of 0.3%, totaling EUR 16.6 billion. This downturn was predominantly influenced by reduced shipments of chemical products, which dropped by 13.1%, specifically affecting medical and pharmaceutical goods, as well as a 2.2% decrease in machinery and vehicles. Exports to non-EU countries fell by 8.6%, whereas shipments to EU countries experienced a 3.9% increase.
