In August 2025, North Macedonia experienced a notable increase in its trade deficit, which expanded to USD 355.5 million from USD 250 million in the same period the previous year. This change was due to a 3.6% year-on-year decrease in exports, totaling USD 660.9 million, alongside an 8.5% rise in imports, which amounted to USD 1,016.5 million.
From January to August, the trade deficit reached USD 2,509 million. During this period, exports grew by 4.3% compared to the previous year, amounting to USD 5,867 million. This growth was primarily driven by increased sales in categories such as animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes, which rose by 28.7%, beverages and tobacco, which increased by 28.6%, and machinery finished products, which saw a 16.4% rise. Concurrently, imports increased at a faster rate of 5.3%, reaching USD 8,377 million. The rise in imports was mainly due to heightened purchases of animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes, up by 26.5%, as well as beverages and tobacco, which rose by 14.4%.
