Finland’s trade deficit widened sharply to EUR 0.55 billion in January 2026, more than double the EUR 0.27 billion recorded in the same month a year earlier, according to preliminary estimates. Imports rose 8.4% year-on-year to EUR 6.4 billion, driven mainly by higher purchases from EU member states, which increased 2.8% to EUR 3.6 billion, while imports from non-EU countries surged 16.4% to EUR 2.8 billion.
It should be noted that, starting in January 2026, imports from EU countries are compiled using a new methodology. As a result, only total import values are directly comparable with those for 2025, and Finnish Customs will not publish other annual change data for 2026.
Meanwhile, exports grew 3.7% to EUR 5.9 billion, supported mainly by stronger sales to non-EU markets, which rose 11.6% to EUR 2.6 billion, led by increases in exports to China (3.4%) and the United States (47.5%). In contrast, exports to EU countries declined 1.8% to EUR 3.3 billion, weighed down by significant drops in shipments to the Netherlands (-24.9%) and Belgium (-28.5%).
