The Czech Republic’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to CZK 19.3 billion in February 2026, down from CZK 30.3 billion in the same month a year earlier and below market expectations of CZK 27.7 billion. The deterioration was driven by imports growing more quickly than exports.
Imports increased 5.2% year-on-year to CZK 388.0 billion, supported by higher purchases of crude materials (+6.9%), manufactured goods (+4.4%), and machinery and transport equipment (+11.4%). Exports rose at a more modest pace of 2.0% to CZK 407.3 billion. Declines in food and live animals (-0.5%), crude materials (-5.0%), and mineral fuels and lubricants (-19.0%) partly offset growth in beverages and tobacco (+5.5%) and machinery and transport equipment (+5.0%).
Over the first two months of 2026, the cumulative trade surplus stood at CZK 39.6 billion, down CZK 8.6 billion from the same period a year earlier. During this period, exports edged up by 0.2%, while imports rose by 1.4%.
