Austria’s trade deficit widened sharply to EUR 1,280.7 million in August 2026, up from EUR 870.0 million a year earlier, marking the largest shortfall since December 2025. Imports rose 11.2% year-on-year to EUR 15,572.0 million, largely reflecting stronger purchases from both intra-EU and extra-EU partners, which increased by 4.8% and 22.8%, respectively. The rise in imports was driven in particular by machinery and vehicles (+11.3%), chemical products (+24.1%), fuels and energy (+28.0%), and manufactured goods (+13.0%).
Exports also expanded, climbing 9.2% to EUR 14,291.7 million, supported by higher shipments to both intra-EU (+7.6%) and extra-EU markets (+12.7%). Export growth was strongest in machinery and vehicles (+8.1%) and chemical products (+15.1%), while exports of other goods fell by 3.5%.
Over the January–August period, Austria posted a cumulative trade deficit of EUR 5,284.8 million, as imports grew by 6.4%, slightly outpacing the 6.1% increase in exports.
