ROMA (ITALPRESS) – In August, Istat estimates a conjunctural decline in both exports (-1.5%) and imports (-1.6%). The monthly decrease in exports concerns both areas, EU (-1.4%) and extra EU (-1.6%). In the quarter of June-August 2026, compared to the previous one, export grew by 0.7%, import by 0.2%.
In August export grew on an annual basis of 9.0% in value and 1.9% in volume. The trend of exports in monetary terms is much more sustained for extra EU markets (+16.7%) than EU ones (+1.6%).
The import recorded a trend growth of 9.7% in value, even in this case much more intense for the extra area (+17.3%) than that EU (+3.2%); in volume, imports decrease by 2.4%. Among the sectors which most contribute to the trend of exports are: basic metals and metal products, excluding machines and plants (+26.5%), coke and refined petroleum products (+55.4%), motor vehicles (+55.8%), means of transport, excluding motor vehicles (+17.2%) and foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco (+5.4%). The export of machinery and appliances not classified elsewhere (n.c.a.) is annually reduced (-1.4%).
On an annual basis, Switzerland (+57.1%) and the United States (+31.2%) are the countries that provide the most positive contributions to the national export; they follow China (+32.7%) and OPEC countries (+17.8%). The biggest negative contribution comes from lower exports to France (-8.3%). In the first eight months of 2026, export recorded a trend growth of 5.0%, for more than half explained by the major sales of base metals and metal products, excluding machines and plants (+26.4%).
The trade balance in August 2026 amounted to +1,773 million euros (was +1,875 million in the same month of 2025). The energy deficit (-5.152 million) is higher than one year earlier (-3.431 million). The advance in the interchange of non-energy products rises from +5,307 million August 2025 to +6.925 million August 2026. In August import prices increase by 1.7% on a monthly basis and by 7.3% on an annual basis (from +5.0% of July).
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
