Declined export In April 2025, as they were reduced by EUR 648.3 million or -14.5% to only € 3.83 billion versus € 4.48 billion in the same month of 2024, according to an analysis of the Panhellenic Exporters Association and the Center for Export Research and Studies (KEM).
Except for petroleum, there was a decrease (-2.7%), resulting in exports reaching € 3.12 billion from € 3.21 billion, ie by € 86.7 million. However, imports were also shrinking in April 2025 (-11.4% or 857.6 million euros) and reached EUR 6.67 billion versus € 7.53 billion in the same month of 2024. It is noted that, excluding petroleum imports, imports of goods were € 5.66 billion from € 5.66 billion. EUR 68.3 million or -1.2%.
As a result of the above moves, the trade deficit was reduced by 2025 by 209.3 million euros or -6.9%, to EUR 2.84 billion from € 3.05 billion in 2024.
This results from the analysis of the Panhellenic Exporters Association and the Center for Export Research and Studies (KEEMs) on ELSTAT’s temporary data, while exports, in total for the January -April four months, decreased by -5.1% and reached € 16%. That is, they decreased by EUR 851.9 million compared to the corresponding period of 2024, but, without petroleum, exports for the first four months of 2025 stood at € 12.43 billion from € 11.85 billion, ie € 583.9 million or 4.9%.
Imports (including petroleum) in January -April 2025 decreased, as they were reduced by EUR 817.7 million or -2.9%, with their total value being EUR 27.06 billion versus EUR 27.88 billion during the corresponding period of 2024. EUR 21.37 billion from EUR 20.89 billion, ie 480.5 million euros or 2.3%.
As a result of the above, the commercial deficit in the first four months of 2025 remained practically stationary (0.3%), to € 11.08 billion from € 11.05 billion in the first four months of 2024. Without petroleum, the commercial deficit was slightly reduced and reached EUR 8.94 -1.1%.
The course of exports by geographical area
Regarding the course of exports by geographical areas in April 2025, there is a decline in missions to EU countries (-8.2%) and a significantly higher decrease in third countries (-22.6%). However, when the oil is excluded, the image is changing, exports to EU countries are rising (0.6%), while exports to third countries are receding, but at a much lower rate (-8.8%) than last year.
Regarding the percentage of exports directed to EU Member States, including petroleum, this increased by about 4 points and reached 60.7% versus 56.6% compared to the corresponding month in 2024. Inversely, the image recorded for the percentage of exports to third countries, which was 39.3% to 39%. 43.4%. Without petroleum, the share of exports to EU countries stands at 67% and third countries at 33%.
Looking at the distribution of exports for the period January -April 2025, it is found that the total value of exports, including petroleum, decreased to EU countries by only -1.1% and to third countries fell by -10%. Without oil, exports increase both to EU countries (5.2%) and to third countries (4.4%).
The course per branch
On the large categories of products, in April 2025 there are increasing trends in only 3 of the 10 main product sectors.
Specifically, a percentage rise is recorded in the following categories: Foods (3.6%) where it is now the main product category, machinery (11.7%) and oils (5.3%), compared to last April.
The category of chemicals (0.7%) appears practically stagnant compared to the corresponding month of 2024, while exports are very reduced to the oil-cursed (-44.6%) category, with the result that they are no longer the main product category. Following are the category of industrial (-7.5%), various industrial (-1.5%), raw materials (-10.3%), beverages & tobacco (-2.9%) and low export value of confidential products (-86.3%), compared to last year.
Looking at the January-April 2025 four months, exports decline in 2 of the 10 major product categories: petroleum-downturn (-25%) and small value exports of confidential products by -80.9%.
At the same time, however, those of food (11.2%), industrial (8.4%), chemicals (1%), machinery (1.2%), various industrial (2.7%), raw materials (0.5%), drinks & tobacco (+9.9%) and oil (1.7%), in relation to the first first period, appears.
The president of the Panhellenic Exporters Association, Alcibiades Kalambokis, commented on the above: “The upward course of exports recorded in the past 3 months is interrupted. In January, exports -without petroleum products -recorded 9.9%, 5.8%in February, 6.7%in March, but in April they declined by -2.7%compared to the same month.
The big surprise that was when food took first place continues in this month, with a 3.6% increase and slip (-44.6%) of petroleum exports, resulting in second place, compared to April 2024. deficit, in April.
The first four months of 2025, for Greek exports, without petroleum products, closes with a positive sign (4.9%) and in line with the lower increase in imports (2.3%) our commercial deficit was reduced by (-1.1%). “
Source: RES – EIA