Expanded Greece’s commercial deficit in June due to growth import and the fall of exports, according to the details of ELSTAT.
The June trade deficit for June increased by 33.2% compared to June 2024, ELSTAT shows, reaching € 3.13 billion. This increase is mainly attributed to imports, which have been a total of 6.4% – with non -energy products increasing by 10.9%. That is, the increase in imported consumer and intermediate goods was more powerful than boosting exports, increasing the burden on the trade balance.
At the same time, exports dropped 8.3% compared to June 2024, reaching 3.94 billion euros. However, the picture is different without petroleum: exports were increased by 3.7% (€ 3.07 billion) and 4.8% (€ 3.05 billion) if ships are excluded.
Noteworthy was the decline in exports to third countries, which were reduced by 14.4%, with more typical examples being fossil fuels, chemicals and food. In contrast, exports to EU were milder by 3.5%.
The picture in the first semester
Despite the general decline in total value of exports by 4.9% in the first half of 2025, Greek products – other than petroleum and ships – recorded a significant increase, confirming a wider dynamic of manufacturing and traditional sectors of the Greek economy.
According to ELSTAT data, the total value of exports for January-June 2025 stood at € 24.1 billion, compared to $ 25.36 billion last year. However, this decrease is exclusively related to fuel, as if the petroleum fruits are removed, exports were up 5.5% reaching € 18.75 billion. The rate rises to 5.8% when ships are excluded.
Similarly, in imports, while a total decrease of 3.5%is observed, the value of oil -free imports increased by 4.7%. This reflects on the one hand the decline of international energy prices, on the other hand, maintaining – even marginally – in internal demand for other products.
However, the trade balance continues to have a high deficit to € 16.5 billion, which has fallen slightly compared to last year ($ 16.76 billion), mainly due to the reduction of energy imports. Without oils and ships, the deficit remained high to € 13.72 billion, increased by 2.7% by 2024.
What do individual product categories show
In the semester, largest export shares are found in chemicals (€ 5.13 billion), food (3.79 billion), machinery (5.86 billion) and industrial species (3.17 billion). Also important is the value of exports to the beverage and tobacco sector, which exceeded € 600 million in total to the EU and third countries.
In contrast, fossil fuels continue to absorb a significant share of imports, although imports in terms of value have been reduced due to lower international prices. Particularly from third countries, the value of energy imports reached € 7.5 billion in the semester.