The Republic of Moldova continues to import more than it manages to export, with its trade deficit reaching €4.42 billion in the first eight months of 2026. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the country imported almost three times as much in goods as it sold abroad, while the trade balance deficit increased by more than €250 million compared with the same period last year.
Between January and August 2026, Moldova’s exports totalled €2.24 billion, an increase of 9.3%, while imports reached €6.66 billion, up 7.1% compared with the same period in 2025.
In other words, for every €100 spent on goods imported from abroad, the Moldovan economy managed to generate only €33.60 in export earnings. The remaining €66.40 represents the difference between the value of imports and exports.
The situation deteriorated in August, when exports fell to €268.5 million, down 16.2% from July and 6.1% compared with August 2025. Meanwhile, imports amounted to €817.5 million, 7% higher than in the same month last year.
As a result, the trade deficit reached €549 million in August alone, nearly 15% higher than in August 2025.
The energy sector is putting additional pressure on the trade balance. Petroleum and petroleum products account for 10.2% of total imports, gas and gas-derived industrial products for 9.5%, and electricity for another 4.1%. Together, these three categories represent 23.8% of imports, equivalent to approximately €1.59 billion.
Moreover, compared with the first eight months of last year, imports of petroleum and petroleum products increased by 26.8%, gas imports rose by 10.4%, and electricity imports grew by 7.1%.
National Bureau of Statistics data also point to Moldova’s reliance on several trading partners. Romania remains the country’s main trading partner, accounting for 29.9% of Moldovan exports and supplying 22.9% of imports. China ranks second among import sources, with a share of 14.5%, followed by Ukraine at 9.4%.
Meanwhile, the European Union absorbs two-thirds of Moldova’s exports, accounting for 66.6%, and supplies 53.6% of imported goods. Trade with EU member states generated a deficit of more than €2.07 billion during the first eight months of the year.
The leading categories of Moldovan exports were oilseeds and oleaginous fruits, accounting for 15.6%; electrical machinery and equipment, at 13.8%; cereals and cereal preparations, at 12.1%; and vegetables and fruit, at 10.8%.
Agriculture contributed to export growth. Foreign shipments of cereals and cereal preparations increased by 48.8%, exports of oilseeds and oleaginous fruits rose by 21.4%, and vegetable and fruit exports grew by 15.9%.
By contrast, exports of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages fell by 10.7%, electrical machinery and equipment exports declined by 6%, and electricity exports dropped by 33.3%.
At the same time, one-fifth of Moldova’s reported exports consist not of domestically produced goods but of re-exports. Of the €2.24 billion in total exports, domestically produced goods accounted for €1.79 billion, while re-exports amounted to €444.1 million.