Estonia’s trade deficit widened to EUR 360 million in August 2026, compared with EUR 249 million in the same month a year earlier. Exports rose by 3% year-on-year to EUR 1,475 million, supported by a 7% increase in sales to EU countries, while exports to non-EU markets fell by 8%.
The strongest export growth was recorded in base metals and articles thereof (+18%), raw materials and products of the chemical industry (+17%), paper and paper products (+13%), and optical, measuring and precision instruments (+8%).
Imports, however, grew at a considerably faster pace, increasing by 10% to EUR 1,835 million, driven by higher purchases from both EU (+10%) and non-EU (+8%) partners. The largest gains were seen in mineral products (+30%), machinery and mechanical appliances (+25%), raw materials and products of the chemical industry (+18%), and transport equipment (+17%).
Over the first eight months of the year, Estonia posted a cumulative trade deficit of EUR 2,701 million, up from EUR 2,561 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
