Finland recorded a trade deficit of EUR 0.91 billion in May 2026, widening sharply from EUR 0.05 billion in the same month a year earlier, according to preliminary estimates. This was the largest trade gap since February, as import growth outpaced that of exports.
Exports rose by a modest 7.5% year-on-year to EUR 6.39 billion. Sales to non-EU countries increased markedly (+19.2%), while shipments to EU markets edged lower (-0.3%). The strongest gains were registered in exports to Sweden (+5.8%), Germany (+2.1%), the United States (+28.6%), Norway (+24.5%), and China (+20.2%).
Imports, meanwhile, climbed 22.7% to EUR 7.3 billion. It should be noted that, as of January 2026, imports from EU countries are compiled under a new methodology, meaning only the aggregate import figures are directly comparable with those for 2025.
Over the first five months of 2026, Finland’s trade deficit widened to EUR 2.95 billion, compared with EUR 1.04 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year.
